Study of Mechanical Properties of Raffia Palm Fibre/Groundnut Shell Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites

Abstract

The mechanical properties of raffia palm fibre and groundnut shell particulate/epoxy (RPF/GSP/E) hybrid composites have been studied. Raffia palm fibres were treated with 10% NaOH solution at room temperature, and groundnut shell particulate of different sizes; 75 μ, 150 μ and 300 μ were also chemically treated with 10% NaOH solution at room temperature. The hybrid composite was produced by hand lay-up technique with (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%) reinforcements of raffia palm fibre and ground nut shell particulate in the ratio of 1:1. The treated fibres were taken with required weight fractions laid into the mould of size 200 × 150 × 5 mm3. Groundnut shell particulates were also taken with the required weight fraction, mixed with epoxy resin and the mixture was stirred thoroughly before pouring into the mould. Care was taken to avoid formation of air bubbles during pouring and the produced composite was cured under a load of 25 kg for 24 hours before it was removed from the mould. Effects of loading on the tensile, flexural and impact properties of the composite were evaluated. The significant findings of the results were that: tensile strength varied from 1.88 MPa to 9.56 MPa; Modulus of rupture (MOR) varied from 1.92 MPa to 41.6 MPa. While the modulus of elasticity, (MOE) values were in the range of 131.1 MPa to 4720 MPa and impact strength varied from 0.3 kJ/m2 to 1.6 kJ/m2. From the results obtained, the optimum mechanical properties were obtained at 40% loading of RPF/300 μ GSP/E composite. Considering these results, the composite material can be considered as an alternative material for use in automotive interior panels such as boot liner, side and door panels, rear storage shelf and roof cover.