Pauline, Ojukwu Uju
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Development of Green Composites Based on Castor Bean Shell (Ricinus communis) as Filler in Epoxy Resin Polymer Ogah, Ogah Anselm; Joseph, Mbam Nwabueze; Pauline, Ojukwu Uju; Ohoke, Francis Okemini
Journal of Fibers and Polymer Composites Vol. 3 No. 1 (2024): Journal of Fibers and Polymer Composites
Publisher : Green Engineering Society

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.55043/jfpc.v3i1.156

Abstract

The present study was carried out to develop composites using waste castor bean shell (CBS) as a filler and epoxy resin as a matrix. The composites were produced by varying the weight fractions of filler in the range of 5 to 35 wt%. The effects of castor bean shell filler weight percentages (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35) on the tensile, flexural, impact and hardness properties of the epoxy/castor bean shell composites were evaluated using universal testing machine, hardness tester and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study revealed that the tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength and impact strength increased with the increasing of the castor bean shell filler content. The highest tensile, flexural and impact properties of the CBS loaded epoxy composite were achieved at a filler content of 15wt%. The hardness increased with the increasing of the castor bean shell filler content. The water absorption and the thickness swelling increased with the increasing of the castor bean shell filler content. The swelling rates of the castor bean shell-epoxy polymer matrix composites are low during the initial stages of moisture absorption due to the visco-elasticity of the polymer matrix. The density decreased with the increasing of the castor bean shell filler content. SEM showed improved interfacial adhesion of the castor bean shell filler-epoxy resin matrix at 15wt% CBS content. The study has shown that castor bean shell filler is a viable reinforcement for manufacturing green composites from the viewpoint of their physical and mechanical properties.
Investigating Natural Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites, Biocomposites, Bionanocomposites Thermo-Mechanical Attributes Emerging Implementations Ogah, Ogah Anselm; Archibong, Friday Nwankwo; Pauline, Ojukwu Uju; Mbam, Nwabueze Joseph; Yudhanto, Ferriawan
Journal of Fibers and Polymer Composites Vol. 3 No. 2 (2024): Journal of Fibers and Polymer Composites
Publisher : Green Engineering Society

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.55043/jfpc.v3i1.136

Abstract

Natural fibers are progressively employed in manufacturing polymer composite structures beneficial to automotive, construction, and aerospace industries. The upsurge in the utilization of natural fibers in various industries is ascribed to enhanced awareness of the toxicity of man-made fibers. It is imperative to preserve the ecosystem. Thus, legislators and investigators are brainstorming on substituting conventional materials with earth-friendly resources. Natural fibers are green resources with multifarious advantages over synthetic materials, including ease of processing, reduction of CO2 effusions, biodegradable, recyclable, acceptable thermomechanical attributes and improved compatibility with human health. Therefore, natural fibers are widely applied as modifiers for polymers. Recently, natural fibers reinforced polymeric composites, bio-composites and bionanocomposites are the hot potato of researchers ascribed to their attributes such as having low specific gravity, producing good results without costing a lot of money, earth-friendly, and sustainable among others. Jute, kenaf, coir, and hemp natural fibers derived from plants can be exploited to achieve novel lofty execution polymer composite systems. Thermo-mechanical behavior of natural fiber-reinforced composites, bio-composites and bionanocomposites including stress-strain, bending, failure resistance, impact toughness, temperature and deformation fashion them to be more sustainable and engaging than man-made fibers with exceptional biodegradable hallmark. Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) determines variations in specimen dimensions with varying temperature, time or load at ambient conditions. However, TMA of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites is limited. Therefore, the review highlights on natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites, bio-composites, bionanocomposites, their crucial thermo-mechanical attributes, and emerging implementations.