MECHANICAL AND THERMO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HYBRID COMPOSITES PRODUCED FROM PALM FRUITS WASTES

Abstract

The mechanical and thermo-properties of hybrid composites produced from palm kernel fibres and palm kernel shells were determined. The palm wastes of three different sieve sizes (75 µm, 150 µm and 300 µm) were blended in the weight ratios (fibre/kernel) of 50:50. Composites were produced at 10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30 wt%, 40 wt% and 50 wt% particulate reinforcement after which mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties were determined. A total of fifteen samples were produced, five representing each sieve size using hand lay-up method with epoxyresin as a binder. The particle size and particulate reinforcement were seen to affect the physical, mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of the hybrid samples produced. The overall result of water taken in by the samples showed that 300 µm absorbed the highest water, while 75 µm had the least density. Sample from 300 µm particle size with 10 % particulate reinforcement gave the optimum Young modulus and flexural strength values of 89.277 MPa and 10.7760 MPa. The optimum value of impact strength was given by sample B (300 µm particle size) with 20 % particulate reinforcement was 10000 J/m2. It can be concluded that hybrid composites produced from palm kernel fibre and palm kernel shell can be utilized as materials for car bumper, interior decoration in automobile industries.

Keywords

• particle size
• particulate reinforcement
• hybrid composite
• physical and mechanical properties.