Coptotermes curvignathus effect on durability, flexural and compression strength of recycled polyethylene composites reinforced with Ceiba pentandra fibres

Abstract

Polyethylene composites reinforced with wood dust from Ceiba pentandra were produced at one proportional variable of wood to polymer ratio. The polymers employed for the study were derived from recycled polyethylene embalmed dihydrogene monoxide bags. Derived homogenous particlesize of 1.00 mm of wood and polyethylene particles were used for production at ascending varying percentage of 40, 50, and 60 for wood and at descending varying percentages of 60, 50, and 40 for polyethylene. The effects of Coptotermes curvignathus attack on weight and mechanical properties of wood polyethylene composites were investigated while the extent of damages was examined. The properties which include weight, density, flexural modulus, flexural strength, compressive strength were determined before and after field exposure. The percentage weight changes were also determined after 12 weeks of graveyard field exposure. The mechanical values obtained before and after termite attacks ranged from 781.03 Kg/cm3 to 810.60 Kg/cm3 for density, 1087.76 Nmm− 2 to 4320.02 Nmm− 2 for flexural modulus, 43.68 Nmm− 2 to 59.14 Nmm− 2 for flexural strength and 18.43 Nmm− 2 to 32.55 Nmm− 2 for compressive strength. The density of the wood polyethylene composites was found to be at peak values when the wood content was at 40% while polyethylene content was at 60%. The wood polyethylene composites made at equal percentage of 50/50 was found to be at lowest values for all properties accessed both before and after termite exposures. The proportional percentage of wood/ polyethylene significantly affects the outcome of weight, density, flexural modulus and compressive strength of the composites after exposure to graveyard under tropical climate. This study revealed that the WPC products can be classified as very durable and durable while WPC at proportional ratio of 40/60 can be adopted for house application in Nigeria.