Degradation of Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Hybridized Ramie Fibers and Glass Fibers When Exposed to Aggressive Environments

— This study aimed to examine the performance, durability, and long-term sustainability of composite materials. It is crucial to understand the effect of combining polyester composites with ramie fibers and glass fibers. This research utilized a range of experiments, including water absorption testing, tensile testing, bending, and observation of fault morphology using SEM. The tests were conducted on polyester composites reinforced with ramie fiber and glass laminate, both with and without immersion, in a 3.5% NaCl solution. The research employed the experimental method, as well as observation tests and literature studies based on relevant books and research journals. The focus was on material handling equipment, particularly ramie fiber, to gather necessary information on water absorption strength and the degradation of tensile and flexural properties caused by using artificial seawater. The objective was to develop a composite that could maintain its properties for applications in building structures. The analysis revealed that the aggressive environment had a significant effect on the tensile strength of the polyester composite reinforced with ramie fiber laminate when it was not soaked, as compared to the same composite after being soaked for 15 days in a 3.5% NaCl solution at a temperature of 50 °C. The initial tensile strength of the polyester composite reinforced with ramie fiber laminate was 15.097 MPa. However, after soaking, the tensile strength decreased to 8.733 MPa. The decrease was attributed to the water content in the composite, which adversely affected the interfacial adhesion between the ramie fiber and polyester matrix. Natural plant fibers, in this case, ramie laminate fibers, will swell due to the absorption of moisture or water so that they form a cavity at the fiber interface with the matrix, which eventually causes cracks in the polymer matrix. This makes it harder for the composite to transfer loads from the polyester matrix to the ramie laminate fibers, which lowers its mechanical and dimensional stability. On average, the composites experienced this condition, which showed a sharp decline due to horizontal cracks in the interlayer