Effect of Volume Fraction Variation on the Flame Propagation of Polyester Composites Reinforced with Praksok Leaf Fiber (Cordyline australis)

Abstract

The automotive industry is evolving to produce lighter and more energy-efficient vehicles. The development of strong, lightweight, and economical composite materials from natural fibers is an important initiative to create sustainable solutions in various industrial applications. In the automotive industry, composites must be fire resistant for user safety, so it is important to understand the effect of fiber content on their fire resistance properties. Due to their good mechanical properties, Cordyline australis leaves have the potential to be used as composite reinforcement. This study aims to investigate the impact of volume fractions on fire resistance in composites reinforced with Cordyline australis leaves. For two hours, the Cordyline australis leaves were immersed in a 10% NaOH solution. Yucalac BQTN-EX 157 polyester resin was used as the matrix. After being cut into 1 cm lengths, the Cordyline australis leaves were then randomly arranged using a hand lay-up molding technique. The fiber volume fraction used varied between 15%, 20%, and 25%. Flame propagation testing on composites was carried out based on the ASTM-D 635 standard. The results of the fire resistance test on composite specimens with a volume fraction of 25% had the most optimal linear burning rate, weight loss rate, and weight loss percentage, namely 15.501 mm/minute, 1.334 grams/minute, and 70.03, and a flame length of 2.964 mm and a flame height of 3.539 mm.