Improvement of Polyethylene Matrix Composites Using Coconut Shell and Cow Bone Particulates

Abstract

Utilisation of particles of coconut shell and cow bone as reinforcing materials for the production of low density hybrid polyethylene matrix composites by stir casting method was carried out. 50 µm coconut shell and 50 µm cow bone particulates in different proportions (5-25 wt. %) were mixed with polyethylene and the microstructural, physical and mechanical characterisations were determined using standardised methods. The hybrid composite exhibited desirable properties in terms of water absorption (0.3 %) indicating reduced pores/voids. It also exhibited ultimate tensile strength (1.78 MPa) and hardness (12.78 HBN) at 15 wt. % filler addition. The uniform dispersion of the reinforcing particles as observed in the SEM microstructure and the strong adhesion of the particles and polyethylene matrix contributed to the enhancement of the tensile strength and hardness of the composites. Increasing the filler concentration beyond 15 wt. % caused a decrease in the average inter-particle distance/spacing thereby increasing the amount of interparticle stress concentration overlap. This led to higher levels of debonding when tensile stress was applied. This ultimately impaired the tensile strength of the composites. The strain energy stored in the matrix which could be equal to the

Effects of Crab Shell and Charcoal Reinforcements on the Mechanical Properties of Polyester Matrix Composites

“…The decrease observed in the flexural strength could be due to poor interfacial bonding between the particles and the polyester matrix as a result of inhomogeneity and agglomeration of the particles. This agrees with the submission/report of Mechtali et al (2015), Rufai et al (2015) and Durowaye et al (2019).…”

“…This is higher than that of the reinforced samples. The reduction in the impact energy could be due to agglomeration of the particulates in the resin matrix which agrees with the report of Mechtali et al (2015), Rufai et al (2015) and Durowaye et al (2019).…”

“…Babatunde O.Bolasodun et al result of poor interfacial bonding impaired the impact energy, hardness and modulus of elasticity of the composite samples resulting in reduction in properties exhibited. This agrees with the submission/report ofMechtali et al (2015),Rufai et al (2015) andDurowaye et al (2019).…”

“…%. The decrease could be due to agglomeration of the particulates in the resin matrix which agrees with the report ofMechtali et al (2015),Rufai et al (2015) andDurowaye et al (2019) while the increase could be due to strong adhesion/bonding between the reinforcement and the polyester matrix which agrees with the report ofRenner et al (2005).…”

Microstructural and thermal properties of thermally cured calcined cow bone/kaolin filled hybrid polystyrene composites

“…From the table, it was observed that the calcined cow bone contained phosphorus, while the kaolin sample was made up of silicon and aluminum. The presence of phosphorus in calcined cow bone was observed by Durowaye et al, 34 while the presence of silicon and aluminum in kaolin was also observed by Ahmed and Selim 62 . The polystyrene resin, as shown in the table, was primarily made up of carbon (98%) and silicon (1.82%).…”