Umudike Journal of Engineering and Technology

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike


PROPERTIES OF COCONUT FIBRES REINFORCED CASHEW NUT SHELL RESIN
Ofem, M. I.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Nigeria

Ubi, P. A.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria



ABSTRACT

Polyester and epoxy resins are non-biodegradable matrices and are susceptible to pollution. The need to use non-pollutant renewable matrix to reinforce natural fibres arose this research. Cashew Nut Shell Resin (CNSR) was reinforced with chemically modified coconut fibres.  Modified fibres were treated with alkali solutions of NaOH (10%) and bleached with sodium hypochlorite. The bio-composites were fabricated using hand lay-up technique. The tensile tests showed that the mechanical properties (modulus, strength, and elongation at break for the tensile, compressive and bending) of composite improved significantly when compared with the fibre. The tensile strength improved by more than 200% while the Young modulus increased by over 305% in comparison with the fibre. Strain at break decreased by 61.76%. The compressive properties show that the strength increases by 169% while the Young Modulus increases by 53.05% and the compressive strain at break increases by 122.86%. SEM failure mode of all testing were observed to be the same. Tensile failure was brittle in all nature with fibre pull-out in the same direction which is an indication of low speed failure.  Specimens failed equally by matrix shear failure with constant debonding.


Keywords: Natural fibres; natural resin; cashew nut shell resin; coconut fibres, mechanical properties


https://doi.org/10.33922/j.ujet_v6i1_4
 Download PDF
View: 314 | Download: 16
Published
Monday, June 01, 2020
Issue
Vol. 6 No. 1, June 2020
Article Section
GENERAL
The contents of the articles are the sole opinion of the author(s) and not of UJET.
Journal Policies/Guidelines
Peer Review Guideline
Digital Preservation Policy
Authors Guideline
Help

Downloads
Copyright Transfer Statement Form

Open Access
Umudike Journal of Engineering and Technology makes abstracts and full texts of all articles published freely available to everyone immediately after publication thereby enabling the accessibility of research articles by the global community without hindrance through the internet.

Indexing and Abstracting
We are index in Google Scholar, AJOL, and EBSCO.