Evaluación de las propiedades mecánicas del material bio-compuesto de epoxi y fibra de bambú, como posible aplicación en parachoques de automóviles.

Abstract

The research aimed to evaluate the mechanical properties of a bamboo fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix bio-composite material as an environmentally friendly alternative for manufacturing automotive front bumpers, to meet the expected strength and energy absorption levels in this application. The methodology used consisted of manufacturing bio-composite specimens following ASTM standards, varying the bamboo fiber content by 25%, 30%, and 40% with longitudinal and bidirectional orientations, for their mechanical characterization and the optimal formulation in volume fraction of epoxy matrix and natural bamboo reinforcement, with 70% epoxy resin and 30% bamboo fiber being the combination with high flexural strength. Standardized tensile, bending, and impact tests were conducted for quantitative analysis. Furthermore, finite element simulations of the bumper model were executed to anticipate stress and deformation distributions for low-speed impacts. Additionally, a prototype bumper was fabricated using bio-composite material through manual layering to test its compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 581 for automotive bumpers. The test results and simulations confirmed the validity of the new bio-composite material as a viable alternative to achieve the required strength and energy absorption levels in automotive bumper applications. This also emphasizes increased sustainability by using organic fibers over traditional synthetic reinforcements. It is advisable to carefully select bamboo fibers based on their diameter, with most having the same value to ensure high impact resistance. Additionally, conducting a comparative analysis against regulatory requirements and technical specifications of automotive bumpers is recommended to validate the feasibility of implementation at the industrial level.