EFFECT OF ALKALI TREATMENT ON THE PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF OKRO BAST FIBRE/EPOXY RESIN COMPOSITES

Hindatu Idris Umar¹, Abdullahi Danladi², Musa Muhammad Bukhari², U. S. Ishiaku², Nuhu Lawal², A. T. Sule³

ABSTRACTS

In recent years the development of polymer composites made from organic resources in the various sectors is increasing considerably due to the environmental issues and health hazard posed by synthetic fibres during disposal and manufacturing. Natural fibres are rapidly being used as the reinforcement material in polymer matrix composites due to their advantages like low cost, availability, low density, good mechanical properties, environment friendly, higher stiffness, and biodegradability characteristics.  In present study, Okro bast fibres(OBF) were treated with 5% sodium Hydroxide and then used to fabricate composite using Epoxy Resin (ER) as the matrix material. OBF weight fractions of 3%,6%, 9%, 12% and 15% were used as the filler materials for all the composites. Composites Preparation and testing were conducted according to the ASTM standards. Tensile, hardness, impact, flexural strength and water absorption tests were conducted to find the mechanical and physical behaviour of the composites.

Keywords: Epoxy Resin, Okro Bast Fibre, Alkali Treatment, Fibre Loading, Physical and Mechanical Properties.