Evaluation of Coconut Fibre Reinforced Low Density Polyethelene Composites

Abstract

Physical, mechanical and dynamic properties of composites produced from coconut fibres using pure water sachet (LDPE) as matrix were evaluated in this study in order to assess its suitability for use as particleboards. The LDPE (waste water sachets) and coconut coir/fibre were collected, shredded and milled into pellets. Five compositions with coconut fibre loading 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25%, and corresponding LDPE of 95, 90, 85, 80 and 75%. A sixth sample with 100% LDPE was also produced as control. The LDPE samples were heated at 170°C for 30 minutes, and each melted solution was loaded with the corresponding coconut fibres and the mixture stirred and poured into a pre-designed metallic mould, pressed and cured in air for 24 hours. The results show that water absorption, swelling thickness and flaking concentration increased with, while the density decreased. The bending strength decreased with fibre loading, while the tensile strength, compressive strength and modulus of elasticity increased with increasing loading to a point before decreasing sharply. The results of dynamic mechanical analysis for the storage and loss modulus shows that as the temperature of the samples was increased these properties reduced except for the damping factor which increased. On the whole, the results showed that the sample with 15% coconut fibres loading and 85% LDPE exhibits more desirable properties compared with the others. These results imply that the composites produced from coconut fibres with LDPE as a matrix can be used as particleboards as well as in areas other areas of applications in the automobile industries. This will improve on savings in foreign exchange and mitigate environmental degradation as result of indiscriminate disposal of portable water sachets and coconut fibres.