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Effect Of Fiber Content On The Physio-Mechanical Properties Of Irvingia Gabonensis Shell Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composite

In the recent few years, there has been a growing interest for natural fibers as a substitute for glass. This is motivated by potential advantages of weight saving, lower price of raw materials, and ecological or thermal recycling advantages of using resources which are renewable. From the previous studies, composites material reinforced with natural fibers has been found to possess better electrical resistance, chemical resistance; good thermal and acoustic insulating properties. Composite materials are widely used for the production of brake-shoes, pads, tires and the diesel piston aircraft. Various researchers have revealed that Agricultural wastes such as wheat husk, rice husk and their straw, hemp fiber and shells of various dry fruits can be used to prepare fiber reinforced composites for commercial use. Most common concerns about the use of these fibers are their coupling with a polymeric matrix, which need to be compatible with the cellulose contained in the fiber. Irvingia gabonensis is a species name for bush mango, African mango, wild mango or Dikanut plant. It is made up of tree trunk (stem), leaves, roots and fruits. The fruit comprises a fleshy part and the nut, which consists of a hard shell and the kernel/seed. Its seeds have an outer brown testa (hull) and two white cotyledons (Ekpe, Umoh and Eka, 2007). Ivingia gabonensis shell fiber (IGSF) is one of the agricultural wastes materials in Nigeria. These agricultural wastes can be used to prepare fiber reinforced polymer composites for commercial use. Most common concerns about the use of these fibers are their coupling with a polymeric Abstract: This research presented a detailed study of the effect of fiber content on the physio-mechanical properties of irvingia gabonensis shell fiber reinforced polyester composite for various engineering applications using standard technique. The fibers were treated with 5% sodium hydroxide (NAOH) solution for 2hours at 40 o C after which they were ground to particle size of 100μm. Varying amounts of fibers (10%wt, 12%wt, 14%wt, 16%wt. 18%wt and 20%wt) were mixed with other raw materials (polyester and additives) in a mini mixer equipped with an electric motor that rotates at 3000 rpm. The pre-form samples were heated to a temperature of 160°C using propane gas flame and compacted by compression moulding technique. The physical and mechanical properties (moisture uptake, specific gravity, hardness and impact strength) of the developed composites were determined. Also, the functional groups of the developed composite were analyzed using Bulk Scientific Infra-red Spectrophotometer (model number M530). The results of the study showed that the moisture uptake and hardness value of the composites increased and decreased respectively with increase in fiber content. The hardness value of the developed composite increased with decrease in moisture uptake. It was also observed that the sample containing 10%wt irvingia fiber gave the optimum hardness value and lowest moisture uptake. Composite sample (IFC5) containing 18%wt irvingia fiber gave the optimum impact strength while IFC6 sample with 20%wt fiber has the maximum specific gravity. Finally the functional groups of the developed irvingia fiber reinforced polymer composite were revealed.