RESUMO
Bamboo fibers (BF) treated in 1.3 Molar NaOH and particulate coconut shell (PCS) sieved to - 45 µm were incorporated into polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix towards improving the properties of PVC composite for ceiling boards and insulating pipes which sags and degrade with time needing improvement in properties. The process was carried out via compression moulding applying 0.2 kPa pressure and carried out at a temperature of 170 °C. Composites developed were grouped according to their composition. Groups A, B, C, and D were infused with 2, 4, 6 and 8 wt% PCS at constant amount, respectively. Each group was intermixed with a varying proportions of BF (0-30 wt% at 5% interval). Tests carried out on the samples produced revealed that the yield strength, modulus of elasticity, flexural strength, modulus of rupture were enhanced with increasing BF proportion from 0 to 30 wt% BF at 2 wt% constant PCS input. Thermal and electrical properties trended downward as the fiber content reduced even as the hardness was enhanced with PCS/BF intermix which was also reflected in the wear loss index. Impact strength was highest on the infix of 4 wt% PCS and 15 wt% BF. Compressive strength was better boasted with increasing fiber and PCS amount but 8 wt% PCS amounted to depreciation in trend. It was generally observed that PCS performed optimally at 2 wt% incorporation while beyond that resulted in lowering of strength. Blending of the two variable inputs; 0-30 wt% BF and 2 wt% PCS presented better enhancement in properties.
RESUMO
This study evaluates the effect of treated and untreated jute fiber/eggshell particulate reinforced cement-paper matrix composites for ceiling board application. Treated jute fiber (TJF) was obtained by immersing untreated jute fiber (UJF) into 1.25 M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution in a shaker water bath maintained at 40 °C for 4 h. Eggshells (ESP) were pulverized and sieved to -75µm. Samples were prepared by varying the fiber volume fraction from 0.5 to 2.5 wt.% in the composites. While other constituents such as the binder (cement) and eggshell were kept constant. An hydraulic press cold compaction molder was utilized in the production of the hybrid composites in a predetermined mix ratio designed based on previous research. The samples produced were cured for 7 and 14 days, then sundried for 36 h. The physical, thermal, mechanical and wear behaviour of the produced composites were evaluated while the surface morphology of the fractured splitting tensile samples were analyzed. The result reveals that TJF/ESP hybrid composites had better performance than UJF/ESP hybrid composites in most of the tests carried out. Increase in the number of curing days was found to also enhance the properties of the composite produced in majority of the test evaluated. The 0.5 wt.% UJF/ESP gave the least performance of all the composites developed. While 2.5 wt. % TJF/ESP showed an optimum properties among the composites tested. When compared with standard, it is concluded that the hybrid composites developed can be suitable for ceiling boards and also find possible application in wall partitioning.
