Perbandingan Kekuatan Tarik Komposit Fiberglass Baru dan Fiberglass Hasil Pembakaran Sebagai Bahan Penguat Komposit

The continuous accumulation of fiberglass waste from the shipbuilding industry poses a significant risk of environmental pollution if not managed properly. This
study aims to compare the tensile strength of composites made from new fiberglass with those utilizing recycled fiberglass obtained through thermal processing at 480–500 °C. The specimens were fabricated using the manuallaminating technique (hand lay-up), consisting of 6 layers of Chopped Strand Mat (CSM) and 5 layers of Woven Roving (WR) within a polyester resin matrix. The test specimens were then cut into 4 samples for each variation in accordance with the ASTM D638 Type I standard. Mechanical testing was conducted using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) to determine the ultimate tensile strength and elongation behavior of the
materials. The test results indicated that the new fiberglass composite achieved an average ultimate tensile strength of 224.38 MPa with an average strain of 4.48%.
Conversely, the recycled fiberglass composite experienced a decline in mechanical properties, yielding an average ultimate tensile strength of 121.12 MPa. This reduction in tensile strength was caused by the degradation of the fiber–matrix interface bond due to high-temperature exposure during combustion. Nevertheless, the tensile strength of the recycled fiber still exceeded the minimum research reference value of 98 MPa. In conclusion, this recycled material remains highly viable and recommended for reapplication in lightweight non-structural components within the shipbuilding industry.