Potential of using coconut shell particle fillers in eco-composite materials

Published Date
3 February 2011, Vol.509(5):2381–2385, doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2010.11.025

Author 

J. Sarki ^a,b,

S.B. Hassan ^a,b,

V.S. Aigbodion ^a,b,,

J.E. Oghenevweta ^a,b

aDepartment of Fire and Safety, Kaduna International Airport, Kaduna-State, Nigeria

bDepartment of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria

Received 6 October 2010. Revised 30 October 2010. Accepted 3 November 2010. Available online 10 November 2010. 

Abstract

Morphology and mechanical properties of coconut shell particles reinforced epoxy composites were evaluated to assess the possibility of using it as a new material in engineering applications. Coconut shell filled composites were prepared from epoxy polymer matrix containing up to 30 wt% coconut shell fillers. The effects of coconut shell particle content on the mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the composite surfaces indicates that there are fairly good interfacial interaction between coconut shell particles and epoxy matrix. It was shown that the value of tensile modulus and tensile strength values increases with the increase of coconut shell particles content, while the impact strength slightly decreased, compared to pure epoxy resin. This work has shown that coconut shell particles can be used to improve properties of epoxy polymer composite to be used in eco-buildings.

Research highlights

▶ The production and characterization of the composites has been done.

Keywords

Coconut shell

Composites

Epoxy

Morphology and mechanical properties

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  Corresponding author at: Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria. Tel.: +234 8028433576.

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