Mechanical Properties of Wood Waste Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites
R. O. Medupin
Mechanical Engineering Department, The Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Nigeria
O. K. Abubakre
Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
K. O. Ukoba
Research and Development Department, Engineering Materials Development Institute, Nigeria
P. E. Imoisili *
Research and Development Department, Engineering Materials Development Institute, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This research work set is an investigation into the mechanical properties of polymer matrix composites (PMC) produced by the use of wood waste. Low density polyethylene was reinforced with sawdust from African teak as a filler, and Sodium hydroxide as the binder. The composite were fabricated by a compression moulding technique; composites with amounts of wood waste ranging from 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 wt. % were produced. Results indicated that 40% of wood waste was the optimum reinforcement. Increasing amount of reinforcement improves the strength and stiffness of the composites but decreases the impact strength. The results also suggests that the rate of water absorption of the composite was high in the first few hours and that the highest water absorption rate was observed with 60% reinforcement. Microstructural examination revealed that there were small discontinuities and a reasonably uniform distribution of wood particles in the polymer matrix.
Keywords: Wood waste, polymer matrix composite, mechanical properties, African teak