Impact Performance Evaluation of Untreated and Treated Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) Composites with Different Layering Patterns
摘要
Layering patterns in composite structures play a crucial role in improving impact performance, particularly for natural composites. This research evaluates the impact performance of Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) composites with different layering patterns: [±45°], [0°/ 90°], [0°/90°, ±45°] and [±45°, 0°/90°]. PALF was treated with an alkaline solution for improved properties and bonding. The composites were fabricated using a vacuum infusion technique. The laminates were analyzed by an instrumented IMATEK IM10 drop weight impact tester with increment of 5 J until the samples perforated. The impact strength analysis of untreated and treated PALF composites highlights the superior performance of the 0°/90° ply orientation, exhibited the best resistance to penetration and absorbed more impact energy before failure. In contrast, the ±45° ply orientation showed lower impact resistance and energy absorption, making it less effective for applications requiring robust impact performance. Hybrid orientations like [0°/90°, ±45°] showed improved energy absorption compared to [±45°, 0°/90°], emphasizing the importance of strategic ply arrangement to optimize impact strength and energy absorption in composite materials.