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Energy absorption characteristics of biodegradable sugar palm/PLA composite with periodic two-dimensional square honeycomb sandwich structure
Quanjin Ma
* 1 ,
M.R.M. Rejab
2 ,
Nasrul Hadi
3 ,
Yiheng Song
4 ,
Sivasubramanian Palanisamy
5 ,
Zahidah Ansari
2
1  School of Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
2  Faculty of Mechanical & Automotive Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26600, Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia
3  Centre for Advanced Industrial Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, 26600, Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia
4  Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
5  Department of Mechanical Engineering, PTR College of Engineering and Technology, Austinpatti, Madurai Tirumangalam Road, Madurai 625008, Tamil Nadu, India
Academic Editor: André Furtado
Published: 03 December 2025 by MDPI in The 6th International Electronic Conference on Applied Sciences session Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Abstract:

This study was conducted on the energy-absorbing characteristics of periodic two-dimensional square honeycomb sandwich structures, which were made from short sugar palm, kenaf, and pineapple leaf fibres (PALFs) reinforced with polylactic acid (PLA). Short fibres were mixed with PLA in a batch mixer at 180°C, with 20 wt% of fibre mass and 80 wt% of PLA pellets. The biodegradable sugar palm/PLA composite sheets underwent the hot compression process and were cut into single and double-slot square honeycomb panels. The slotting method was used to assemble the periodic two-dimensional square honeycomb sandwich structures. The biodegradable sugar palm/PLA composite and honeycomb sandwich structures underwent tensile and quasi-static compression tests. Finite element modelling was used to simulate the damage behaviour, which incorporates biodegradable composite properties and geometric imperfections. The results indicated a small decrement in tensile strength for the recycled sugar palm/PLA composite. It revealed that the double-slot design of the pineapple/PLA sandwich structure significantly increased by 1.33 times compared to the sugar palm/PLA sandwich structure. Moreover, it notably reduced the compressive strength of pineapple/PLA (66.4%) and sugar palm/PLA (31.5%) composite sandwich structure. Finite element modelling showed good agreement with experimental data, which had a 7.11% error in energy absorption parameters. It was concluded that these biodegradable composites have potential for specific energy-absorbing structures.

Keywords: energy-absorbing characteristics; biodegradable composite; sugar palm fibre; quasi-static loading; finite element modelling; honeycomb structure; slotting method;
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Comments on this paper
Quanjin Ma
5 December 2025
This abstract presents a well-structured and technically sound study on the development of sustainable energy-absorbing materials, effectively outlining a clear methodology that integrates material processing, experimental mechanical testing (tensile and quasi-static compression), and finite element modeling to evaluate periodic square honeycomb sandwich structures made from various biodegradable fiber/PLA composites. The key comparative findings—such as the superior performance of the double-slot pineapple/PLA design and the quantified reductions in compressive strength—are highlighted with relevant data, while the good agreement (7.11% error) between the finite element model and experimental results validates the analytical approach and adds robustness to the conclusion that these composites hold promise for specific energy-absorbing applications. To further strengthen the abstract, specifying the magnitude of the tensile strength decrement for the recycled composite and clarifying the baseline for the noted compressive strength reductions would provide even greater immediate context and impact.
Quanjin Ma
5 December 2025
This paper studies the energy-absorbing properties of sustainable sandwich structures, specifically investigating periodic two-dimensional square honeycombs fabricated from short sugar palm, kenaf, and pineapple leaf fibres (PALF) reinforced with polylactic acid (PLA). Through a combined experimental and numerical approach—involving composite fabrication, tensile and quasi-static compression testing, and finite element modeling—the research provides valuable quantitative insights, notably that a double-slot design with pineapple/PLA performs 1.33 times better than its sugar palm/PLA counterpart in a key metric, while also documenting specific reductions in compressive strength. The strong correlation (7.11% error) between the finite element simulations, which incorporate material properties and geometric imperfections, and the experimental data validates the methodology and robustly supports the concluding assertion that these biodegradable composites have significant potential for engineered energy-absorbing applications.


 
 
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