Effect of seawater immersion on impact strength of composites reinforced ramie fiber

Abstract

Composites have absorption properties, namely the ability to absorb water at a specific time. The nature of absorption is a problem because this can reduce the mechanical strength of composites. This study aims to determine the effect of seawater immersion on the impact strength of the composite. The composites used are made of epoxy resin as matrices and ramie fiber as reinforcement. Variation in the orientation of the fibers is given, i.e., continuous and woven fibers. Ramie fiber composites are expected to be able to provide consideration for the primary raw material for shipbuilding so that the composite is carried out on a scale-scale seawater immersion to determine the effect of immersion on impact strength, and immersion is carried out for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks. Impact strength testing refers to the ASTM D 5942-96 standard. The results obtained show that the impact strength of unidirectional ramie fiber composites decreased by 30.76% and stronger than ramie's woven strength composites which decreased by 17.08%. Still, the impact strength on unidirectional ramie fiber composites (150.14 kJ/m2) is more when compared to ramie woven composites (83.26 kJ/m2).