<![CDATA[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.]]>
Copyrights © 2026
