Development Of Baobab/sisal Reinforced Low Density Polyethylene Hybrid Composite
Abstract
In this work, the parcels of baobab/ sisal fibre corroborated low viscosity polyethylene mongrel mixes were studied. The effect of fibre lading and fibre treatment with varying sodium hydroxide( NaOH) attention on the compound parcels was delved . The developed mixes were characterized for tensile strength, modulus of pliantness( MOE), extension at break, hardness and impactstrength.Analysis of the results showed that, for the monolithic compound, 10 wt baobab fibre lading had the bestmechanical property compared to other baobab fibre ladings, with tensile strength and MOEof8.28 MPa and 127MParespectively.The result ofNaOH treatment showed that 8 wt treated fibre compound displayed the stylish tensile strength, MOE, impact strength and the least chance water immersion of14.54 MPa, 245 MPa,4.4 J/ mm2 and1.8respectively.On hybridization with sisal, it was observed that the100 sisal fibre compound displayed advanced tensile strength and MOEof12.47 MPa,262.85 MPa, and the least chance water immersion capacity of0.37 but for both the mongrel were advanced than the monolithic compound. The result of the NaOH treated mongrel compound showed that 6 wt NaOH treated sisal/ baobab fibre displayed the stylish tensile strength, MOE and chance water immersion of17.08 MPa,279.40 MPa, and0.18 independently which were advanced than that of the monolithic sisal fibre corroborated mixes. The fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy( FT- IR) analysis of undressed and treated baobab fibre showed that there was reduction in the hemicelluloses in the NaOH treated baobab fibres as indicated by the band at2277 – 2274 cm- 1representing C =O stretching of hemicelluloses. The scanning electron microscope( SEM) analysis showed that compound produced from undressed fibre had further cracks and voids, conceivably due topoor commerce between the fibre and low viscosity polyethylene matrix, performing in lower mechanicalproperties.The compound have parcels whichsuggest their felicity for operation in sundeck boards, gusto board, hinder seat walls and rails systemsto replace the hardwood and essence presently used hence, conserving the terrain.
Chapter One
Preface
Background of Study
mixes are multifunctional material systems that give characteristics not accessible from any separate accoutrements . They’re cohesive structures made by physically combining two or further compatible accoutrements , different in composition and characteristics and occasionally in form( Prankash etal., 2009). These accoutrements correspond of the matrix and underpinning( Mohinietal., 2011). The ingredients can be wholly natural or synthetic and occasionally the combination of the two.
Synthetic- grounded fibre mixes are commercially charming because they can be used to develop products with known parcels to meet a variety of different operations. still, these accoutrements represent an environmental liability both in product and upon disposal. In the once times, growing environmental pollution has called for the use of natural accoutrements for different operations. This has been told by the ever adding demand for newer, stiffer, recyclable, fire repellant, less precious and yet lighter- weight accoutrements in fields similar as aerospace, transportation, construction and packaging diligence( Duigou etal., 2008). Meanwhile, natural fibres corroborated polymer mixes represent an occasion to incompletely minimize on the environmental impacts by integrating biodegradable fibres similar as flax, hemp, sisal, and wood patches in place of synthetic fibres similar as glass, carbon or sword in compound accoutrements product( Alabi, 2011).