ANALISIS KEKUATAN BENDING FIBER METAL LAMINATE (FML) BERPENGUAT CARBON FIBER DENGAN VARIASI ARAH SERAT MENGGUNAKAN METODE VACUUM INFUSION

ANALYSIS OF BENDING MECHANICAL STRENGTH CARBON FIBER-REINFORCED FIBER METAL LAMINATE (FMLs) WITH VARIATION IN FIBER ORIENTATION USING VACUUM INFUSION METHOD

Perkembangan industri otomotif menuntut inovasi material struktural yang ringan namun memiliki kekuatan mekanik tinggi, seiring regulasi efisiensi bahan bakar dan emisi. Salah satu inovasi yaitu penggunaan material komposit sebagai pengganti logam konvensional. Namun, komposit murni kurang tahan terhadap beban kejut, sehingga dikembangkan material Fiber Metal Laminate (FML) yang menggabungkan carbon fiber dan aluminium. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kekuatan bending FML berpenguat carbon fiber dengan variasi arah serat (0 derajat,45 derajat, dan 90 derajat), menggunakan metode vacuum infusion dan menerapkan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan metode eksprerimen. Spesimen dibuat dengan resin epoxy sebagai matriks, aluminium sebagai laminasi, dan diuji menggunakan metode ASTM D790. Pengujian dilakukan dengan mesin uji T.Grocki, lalu dianalisis berdasarkan kekuatan bending maksimum.

Hasil menunjukkan perbedaan signifikan antar arah serat. Nilai kekuatan bending tertinggi terdapat pada serat 0 derajat sebesar 111,43 MPa, kemudian 45 derajat sebesar 90,92 MPa, dan 90 derajat sebesar 69,87 MPa. Penelitian ini dapat menjadi referensi dalam pengembangan material FML untuk aplikasi body kendaraan

The development of the automotive industry demands structural material innovations that are lightweight yet posses high mechanical strenght, in line fuel efficiency and emissions regulations. One such innovation is the application of composite materials as subtitutes for conventional metals. However, pure composites exhibit poor resistance to shock loads, leading to the development of Fiber Metal Laminates (FMLs), which combine carbon fiber and aluminium sheets. This research investigates the flexural behavior of FMLs with varying fiber orientations (0 degree, 45 degree, dan 90 degree). The study employed a quantitative approach using an experimental method. The laminates were manufactured using the vacuum infusion process, with epoxy resin as the matrix and aluminium as laminates and core. Bending tests were conducted in accordance with ASTM D790, using a T.Grocki universal testing machine. The results were evaluated based on maximum flexural strenght.

The results showed significant differences in bending strenght based on fiber orientation. The highest bending strenght was recorded at 0 degree (111.43 MPa), followed by 45 degree (90.92 MPa), and 90 degree (69.87 MPa). This research may serve as a reference for futher development of FML composites for automotive body aplications.