Research article

Effect of chemical modification on mechanical properties of Luffa Gourd, Dum Palm and Baobab fibre reinforced composites

*¹Aminu Sabo Musa, ²Sunmonu OK and ²Bello KA

¹Department of Textile Technology, School of Technology, Kano State Polytechnic, Nigeria

²Department of Textile Science and Technology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author E-mail: aminusabomusa@yahoo.com; Tel: +2348096785930

Accepted 28 October 2014

Abstract

Dum palm, Luffa gourd and Baobab plant fibres were extracted from the different plants; it was done with aid of pointed metal object after retting them for 7days in water. Breaking load and extension of the bundle fibres was determined using Instron universal testing machine. Fibres were treated with 5% NaOH. Composites are made from the untreated fibres and 5% NaOH treated fibres. Mechanical Properties of the composites were studied. The properties tested include tensile strength, impact strength, bending strength and hardness. Result shows that Dum palm fibre has the highest strength and it is expected to be more crystalline followed by Luffa gourd fibres and finally Baobab fibre which is less crystalline in nature. On the analysis of composite, it was found that chemical treatment generally improves the mechanical properties of the composites.

Keywords: Dum palm, Luffa gourd, Baobab, Composite