In the present work, we study how to improve mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) in order to increase crashworthiness probability. Experimentally, hybrid carbon /glass fiber composite was made in order to get higher mechanical properties. As a results, with increasing carbon fiber volume fraction (% vol.), tensile strength and flexural strength of the composite are increased. Simulation of impact testing is also performed using data properties taken from the experiment with variation of impact forces on front bumper structure. By varying external load to the bumper, the result shows that higher thickness of hybrid carbon/glass fiber composite has always smaller stress values than thinner one. On the other hand, the displacement of hybrid carbon/glass car bumper increases linearly with increasing external load.

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The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between natural fibers and thermoplastics matrix is one of the key parameters to increase the mechanical properties of composites. IFSS can be improved by alkali treatment. Therefore, the research is to investigate the influence of IFSS soaking time in alkali solution of cantala fiber/Recycled High Density Polyethylene (RHDPE) composites. Experimentally, cantala fiber/RHDPE composites were manufactured by simple hot press machine. Alkali treatment on the surface of cantala fibers was carried out on 2% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution for a period time, i.e., 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours. The IFSS value of composites was observed using single fiber pullout test method. The result shows that the increase of soaking time in alkali solution could improve IFSS of cantala fiber/RHDPE composites by 43%.

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