The Effect of Fiber Orientation on Polypropylene Composites Reinforced with Ramie Fiber on Impact Resistance as a Dashboard Material

Authors

  • Ikhsan Fauzi Universitas Tidar
  • Sri Hastuti
  • R. Faiz Listyanda Mechanical Engineering, Tidar University,
  • Eko Saputra Mechanical Engineering, Semarang State Polytechnic
  • Wahyu Isti Nugroho Politeknik Negeri Semarang
  • Farika Tono Putri Politeknik Negeri Semarang
  • Ragil Tri Indrawati Politeknik Negeri Semarang
  • Xander Salahudin Mechanical Engineering, Tidar University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32497/jrm.v21i2.7472

Keywords:

composite, dashboard, fiber orientation, impact, ramie

Abstract

The increasing demand for lightweight and high-strength materials in the automotive industry has encouraged the development of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites. However, studies specifically investigating the effect of ramie fiber orientation in polypropylene (PP) composites fabricated using a hot press remain limited. This study investigates the effect of ramie fiber orientation on the impact toughness of PP composites for potential dashboard applications. Composite specimens were fabricated using a hot press with a composition of 85% PP and 15% ramie fiber in a three-layer configuration (PP:fiber:PP). Fiber orientations of 15°, 30°, and 45° were investigated. Impact testing was conducted using the Charpy method according to ASTM D5942, followed by macroscopic observation of the fracture surfaces. The highest impact toughness was obtained at 15°, with an average value of 0.0265 J/mm² and absorbed energy of 0.777 J. The impact toughness decreased to 0.0248 J/mm² at 30° and 0.0221 J/mm² at 45°, with absorbed energies of 0.715 J and 0.696 J, respectively. The fracture surfaces showed matrix cracking, voids, and fiber pull-out, indicating variations in stress transfer and interfacial bonding. Among the investigated orientations, the 15° orientation provided the highest impact toughness, demonstrating the influence of fiber orientation on the impact energy absorption behavior of ramie fiber-reinforced PP composites.

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Published

2026-09-18

How to Cite

Fauzi, I., Hastuti, S., Listyanda, R. F., Saputra, E., Isti Nugroho, W., Tono Putri, F., … Salahudin, X. (2026). The Effect of Fiber Orientation on Polypropylene Composites Reinforced with Ramie Fiber on Impact Resistance as a Dashboard Material. Jurnal Rekayasa Mesin, 21(2), 303–310. https://doi.org/10.32497/jrm.v21i2.7472

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 2 (2026): Volume 21, Nomor 2, August 2026

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Ikhsan Fauzi, Sri Hastuti, R. Faiz Listyanda, Eko Saputra, Wahyu Isti Nugroho, Farika Tono Putri, Ragil Tri Indrawati, Xander Salahudin

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