Mechanical Properties of Sugar Palm (Arenga pinnata Wurmb. Merr)/Glass Fiber-Reinforced Poly(lactic acid) Hybrid Composites for Potential Use in Motorcycle Components

Abstract

This research aims to determine the mechanical properties of sugar palm fiber (Arenga pinnata Wurmb. Merr) (SPF)/glass fiber (GF)-reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) hybrid composites for potential use in motorcycle components. The mechanical (hardness, compressive, impact, and creep) and flammability properties of SPF/GF/PLA hybrid composites were investigated and compared to commercially available motorcycle Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic components. The composites were initially prepared using a Brabender Plastograph, followed by a compression molding method. This study also illustrated the tensile and flexural stress–strain curves. The results revealed that alkaline-treated SPF/GF/PLA had the highest hardness and impact strength values of 88.6 HRS and 3.10 kJ/m2, respectively. According to the results, both alkaline and benzoyl chloride treatments may improve the mechanical properties of SPF/GF/PLA hybrid composites, and a short-term creep test revealed that the alkaline treated SPF/GF/PLA composite displayed the least creep deformation. The findings of the horizontal UL 94 testing indicated that the alkaline-treated SPF/GF/PLA hybrid composites had good flame resistance. However, alkaline-treated SPF/GF/PLA composites are more suitable materials for motorcycle components.