Thermal Stability, Moisture Uptake Potentials and Mechanical Properties of Modified Plant Based Cellulosic Fiber-Animal Wastes Hybrid Reinforced Epoxy Composites
Isiaka Oluwole Oladele, Baraka Abiodun Makinde-Isola, Newton Itua Agbeboh, Babatunde Olamide Iwarere
Abstract
In order to advance the development of bio-composite materials, studies are being carried out on the potentials of using reinforcements from a natural origin in polymer matrixes. In this study, thermal conductivity, water absorption, and mechanical properties of calcined eggshell particles-treated sisal fiber hybrid reinforced epoxy composites were investigated in order to ascertain its potentials for use as structural materials. Calcined eggshell particulate (CEP) was obtained from chicken eggshell while treated sisal fibers (TSF) were obtained from the Agave sisalana plant. Both processed reinforcements were incorporated into an epoxy matrix using the hand lay-up method for the development of the bio-composites. Thermal, water absorption and mechanical behavior tests were carried out on the developed composites and the control sample. Analysis of the results showed that the presence of the bio-fillers in the epoxy matrix enhances the insulating, resistance to water uptake, and mechanical properties of the composites compared to the unreinforced epoxy matrix. It was concluded that these bio-fillers could be effectively used as reinforcements in a polymer matrix for the production of green composites.