Numerical analysis of Composite with Natural Fiber Reinforcement using Finite Element Method: Leaf Spring Composite Application

Abstract

Leaf spring is one of component that use to vibration damping on vehicle, where one of material that use to fabrication this component is 55Si7 steel. Currently, sustainable product is main focus in industry, so that composite is a potential alternative to replace steel as leaf spring. Materials that use to composite fabrication are sisal as fiber, epoxy as matrix, and honeycomb and alumunium alloy as core, where fabrication both 55Si7 steel and composite specimen are based on ASTM D638 standard. Fabrication of composite specimen conducted by hand lay-up technique, and mechanical properties analysis of thus specimen are conducted by finite element method. Tensile test is tested on 55Si7 steel and composite specimen using finite element method. According tensile test, steel of 55Si7 type have 2.92 mm of total deformation average, and 12583 MPa of strain, composite natural fiber with honeycomb core have 62.75 mm of total deformasi average, and 18590 MPa of stress, and composite natural fiber with aluminium alloy core have 15.47 mm of total deformasi average, and 12813 MPa of stress. According that results, composite with aluminium alloy core have the mechanical properties close to 55Si7 steel than composite honeycomb core.