Preliminary Indication Approach of Jute Fiber Fabric with Polyester for Bumpers of Passenger Cars

Polypropylene has been the plastic traditionally used in the manufacture of bumpers. Composite materials have been presented as an alternative due to lightness and sustainability. This article presents a composite of polyester resin and jute fiber fabric as an innovative alternative to be studied for the manufacture of automotive bumpers. Composite material was manufactured for characterization. It was used as matrix the terephthalic polyester resin, unsaturated and pre-accelerated, and the catalyst MEK V388 for curing the composite. The chosen reinforcement was the jute fiber fabric. Silicone molds with dimensions according to ASTM 3039 were used to manufacture specimens, and subsequent tensile strength test to determine properties and compare with literature data. The composite with jute fiber reinforcement with alignment 0°/0°/0° was evaluated as viable for the application in car bumpers, having its value of tensile strength surpassed that of the composite reinforced by jute fiber with alignment 45°/45°/45° and the results presented in the literature.