Effect of Fiber Orientation on Tensile and Impact Properties of Zalacca Midrib Fiber-HDPE Composites by Compression Molding

The research aims to investigate the fiber orientation effect on the tensile and impact properties of zalacca midrib fiber /HDPE composites. The composites were produced by compression molding with pressing temperature at 150 degrees C, pressing pressure at 50 bar, and holding time of 25 minutes. The fiber orientations applied in composites were 0 degrees, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, and 90 degrees, at 10% fiber volume fraction. The samples were evaluated by using: Tensile test and Izod impact test according to ASTM D638 and ASTM D5941, respectively. The result of experiments indicate that the orientation of zalacca midrib fiber influences the characteristics of HDPE composite-zalacca midrib fiber. The composite mechanical strength decline with the increase of orientation fibers from 0 degrees to 90 degrees.The composite failure mode of composites are observed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).