Engineering the Impact Toughness and Morphological Integrity of Ramie Fiber Reinforced Rosin Composites via Plasticizer Optimization

Muhammad Faesal Febriandyono; Muhammad Budi Haryono; Aan Burhanudin; Agus Mukhtar; Althesa Androva; Wardatul Jannah; Muhamad Safi’i; Hisyam  Ma’mun; Riyan Hasta Pratama

Authors

Muhammad Faesal Febriandyono Persatuan Guru Republik Indonesia University
Muhammad Budi Haryono PGRI Semarang University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1310-2463
Aan Burhanudin PGRI Semarang University https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5626-7487
Agus Mukhtar PGRI Semarang University
Althesa Androva PGRI Semarang University
Wardatul Jannah PGRI Semarang University
Muhamad Safi’i PGRI Semarang University
Hisyam Ma’mun
Riyan Hasta Pratama Al-Qur'an Science University

Keywords:

absorbed energy, green engineering materials, impact toughness, morphological analysis, rosin ramie composites

Abstract

Driven by rapid technological advancements, material trends have increasingly shifted toward Natural Composites (NACO), primarily owing to their renewability and recyclability. Nevertheless, the utilization of natural resins such as rosin (gondorukem) as a matrix frequently yields brittle characteristics, necessitating the incorporation of plasticizers to enhance their mechanical properties. Despite this, the specific influence of varying plasticizer concentrations on the physical stability, underlying fracture mechanisms, and macro and microstructural properties of rosin ramie composites remains largely unexplored. This study aims to engineer and evaluate the effect of plasticizer concentration (15% and 30%) on the impact toughness, absorbed energy, and structural characteristics of rosin matrix ramie fiber composites. An experimental approach was employed using ASTM D256 standard for impact testing, coupled with macro and microstructural morphological analyses. The findings indicate that the maximum average impact toughness reached 0.0735 J/mm² at a 30% plasticizer concentration. Interestingly, the maximum single absorbed energy of 9.880 J was observed at 15% concentration, yielding a specific impact value of 0.0689 J/mm². This discrepancy occurs because the 30% plasticizer provides a more uniform plastic deformation capability across samples, whereas the 15% concentration exhibits localized rigid resistance before catastrophic failure. Morphological analyses revealed fracture mechanisms including fiber pull out, matrix cracking, and oxidation, which correlate directly with the mechanical performance. Altering the plasticizer concentration significantly influences the polymer chain mobility and interfacial bonding of the composites. The 30% concentration optimally prevents micro crack propagation, offering significant practical value for developing sustainable, impact resistant green engineering materials.

References

[1] Robani AI, Fajarningrum ND, Sulistiyo RM, Hilmy F. Numerical Study of Savonius Wind Turbine Performance at Tidar University under Wind Speed and Direction Angle Using the CFD Method. 2026;21(1):1–16.

[2] Al-mazrouei N, Elhassan A, Ahmed W, Al A, Zaneldin E. Green Technologies and Sustainability Sustainable biodegradable polymer volcanic stone , and palm waste composites with enhanced properties for waste upcycling and energy-efficient construction. Green Technol Sustain [Internet]. 2026;4(2):100326. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.grets.2025.100326

[3] Russo M, Papa I, Antonucci V, Langella A, Rosaria M. PLA coating effect on water aging of basalt and basalt / flax fiber composites. Mater Today Commun [Internet]. 2026;51(February):114859. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2026.114859

[4] Maidina M, Muslim F, Fitriani F, Sumarno A, Budiman I. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering Physicochemical , mechanical and thermal properties of twisted ramie ( Boehmeria Nivea ) fibers for their potential use as reinforcement in non-structural concrete. Case Stud Chem Environ Eng [Internet]. 2025;11(January):101194. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2025.101194

[5] Ibrahim FH, Setiawan RA, Steven S, Mardiyati Y. Results in Engineering Towards sustainable composites : Fabrication , characterization , and biodegradation of all-cellulose composites ( ACC ) from ramie ( Boehmeria nivea ) and luffa ( Luffa cylindrica ). Results Eng [Internet]. 2025;26(November 2024):104695. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.104695

[6] Setiawan T, Suprayogi DT, Wahyudi H. Evaluation of Burst Pressure on API X52 Pipes : Validation of Predictive Models via Full- Scale Experimental Data. 2026;21(1):17–22.

[7] Bernardo R, Shahid M, Muhammad R, Eshkaraev S, Mokhirakhon B, Shata PS, et al. Phase inversion fabrication of mung bean starch bioplastics : Effect of glycerol content on mechanical performance , wettability , and soil biodegradation. Next Mater [Internet]. 2026;12(February):102246. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxmate.2026.102246

[8] Kanwal T, Loddo V, Maria C, Palmisano G, Hamdan S, Wang Z, et al. Solar driven photocatalytic glycerol and glucose reforming via noble metals free BiOX ( X = Cl , Br , I ) -TiO 2 composites. Sustain Mater Technol [Internet]. 2026;47(May 2025):e01825. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2025.e01825

[9] Zein I, Iqbal M, Muhammad I, Khalil HPSA. Performance of natural abaca fiber composites in water-rich environments : A sustainable solution for tropical infrastructure. Hybrid Adv [Internet]. 2025;11(November):100573. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hybadv.2025.100573

[10] Chalard M, Goudenhooft C, Melelli A, Scheel M, Weitkamp T, Pierre D, et al. Flax fibre bundle : A remarkable multi-scale unidirectional composite material. Compos Part A [Internet]. 2025;196(January):108990. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2025.108990

[11] Syaiful M, Waziz M, Wahyudi K, Ahmad R. Comparative study of physical , mechanical , thermal , and morphological properties of raw , alkali , and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane ( APTES ) -treated Agave angustifolia Haw fibers for green-composite reinforcement. Next Mater [Internet]. 2026;11(March):101948. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxmate.2026.101948

[12] Patimah S, Noviyantoro B, Ahmad R, Syaiful M. Carbon nanotube nano-bridging unlocks high-performance epoxy composites reinforced with unidirectional alkali-treated ramie fibers. Hybrid Adv [Internet]. 2026;13(April):100679. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hybadv.2026.100679

[13] Saha M, Singh H, Kumar M, Mavinkere S. Sustainable Chemistry for Climate Action Advancements in natural fiber composites : Market insights , surface modifications , advanced fabrication techniques and applications. Sustain Chem Clim Action [Internet]. 2025;6(April):100081. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scca.2025.100081

[14] Yang W, Liu Y, Ouyang Y, Xu W, Zhao W, Ren H. Industrial Crops & Products Shape memory performance and mechanical properties of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites enhanced via fabrication strategies. 2026;239(January).

[15] Wongkhuenkaew N, Tipboonsri P, Pramoonmak S, Chongkolnee B, Memon A. Composites Part C : Open Access Recycled composite materials from plastic parts of end-of-life vehicles mixed with recycled carbon fiber from automotive manufacturing waste. Compos Part C Open Access [Internet]. 2026;19(January):100696. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomc.2026.100696

[16] Iftikhar B, Li Q, Gong F, Zhang N, Liu Y, Xu Y. Case Studies in Construction Materials Experimental and explainable machine learning assessment of flexural strength in cement-free plastic – sand composites. Case Stud Constr Mater [Internet]. 2026;24(January):e05870. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2026.e05870

[17] Taghipoor H, Ghorbani S. Experimental investigation of low-velocity impact response in PP / date palm fiber bio-composites reinforced with compatibilizer and impact modifier. Mater Today Commun [Internet]. 2026;51(November 2025):114771. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2026.114771

[18] Youn H, Kim G, Choi B, Ji S, Pyo Y. Material characterization of waste plastic pyrolysis char ( WPPC ) and its applicability evaluation in mortar. J Mater Res Technol [Internet]. 2026;41(December 2025):546–59. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2025.12.075

[19] Soni A, Kumar S, Vo DN, Rajamohan N. Sustainable Chemistry for Climate Action Material selection of sustainable composites by the valorisation of plastics and agro wastes : An integrated q-rung orthopair fuzzy-based multiple criteria decision making model. Sustain Chem Clim Action [Internet]. 2026;8(September 2025):100178. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scca.2025.100178

[20] Bindiganavile P, Ali ABM, Nagaraja S, Amir A, Kadhum H, Al-hiti AS, et al. Integrated thermo-mechanical , statistical , and microstructural analysis of pineapple leaf fiber reinforced epoxy composites. J Mater Res Technol [Internet]. 2026;42(April):10986–1000. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2026.05.194

[21] Adozuka A, Isah M, Owen MM, Senanu D, John D, Achukwu EO, et al. Results in Engineering Sustainable hybrid composite ceiling tiles from waste LDPE reinforced with Sida acuta fibers and recycled paper pulp nanofillers : Mechanical , thermal and microstructural performance. Results Eng [Internet]. 2026;30(March):110302. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2026.110302

[22] Reddy R, Syed H, Rajesh M V, Venkatesh C, Sonali C, Durga S, et al. Influence of wrightia tinctoria and coconut fibers on strength and microstructural properties of geopolymer composites. Sustain Futur [Internet]. 2026;11(July 2024):101616. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.101616.

[23] Patel S, Bandyopadhyay S, Seikh AH, Alnaser IA, Jouiad M, Rahaman A, et al. Role of carbon nanotubes in enhancing the mechanical behavior and microstructural characteristics of Kevlar fiber reinforced epoxy composites. J Mater Res Technol [Internet]. 2026;42(March):8067–76. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2026.05.061