Optimizing the Cellulose Content of Shea Butter Bark Wood Fibre through Alkali Pretreatment for Composite Application

The circulation of recycled low density polyethylene (r-LDPE) globally, using Nigeria as point of reference is emphasized in this work. The need for combining r-LDPE with a less expensive organic fiber as an economical alternative material in panel production for printer component to reduce waste through recycling. In this study, the particle size (PS) and fiber content (FC) of date palm wood fiber (DPWF) in a r-LDPE matrix are essential factors to be considered for optimizing flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM) and Izod impact strength (IIS) of r-LDPE-DPWF (recycled low density polyethylene-date palm wood fiber) composite for producing printer components. The variant FC and PS of the DPWF was compounded in r-LDPE matrix to optimize the FS, FM and IIS of r-LDPE-DPWF composite, using a central composite design (CCD) as a response surface methodology (RSM). The DPWF and r-LDPE-DPWF composite were analyzed by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR). The results indicated that the FS, FM and IIS of r-LDPE-DPWF composite measured 46.66002 MPa, 1.150043 GPa and 1.99899 KJ × m-1 at optimal operation, respectively. Under these operating conditions, PS and FC were 60.78 mesh (250 μm) and 30 wt.-%, respectively. Finally, the main coefficient of determination (R2) for the factors correlated with the characteristics of the r-LDPE-DPWF composite at an approximate value of 1 with a differential error of RSM and experiment values < 0.05 %. It was concluded that the RSM model yielded the necessary parameters for the r-LDPE-DPWF composite to be considered as a potential material for printer components.

Optimization of flexural and impact properties of r-LDPE-DPWF composite for printer parts production

Okeke

Thaddaeus²,

Onukwuli³

2021

Modeling and simulation of tensile properties of r-LDPE/GSF composite using the response surface methododology

Government¹,

Okeke

Ibrahim³

et al. 2022

In this study, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), elongation (ELG) and tensile modulus (TEM) of a recycled low-density polyethylene groundnut shell fiber composite (r-LDPE/GSF) were modeled and simulated when considered particle size (PS) and fiber content (FC) of groundnut shell fiber (GSF) by applying response surface techniques (RSM) for structural application. The deposit of recycled low-density polyethylene (r-LDPE) and GSF, an agro-waste, were combined in the production of r-LDPE/GSF composite at PS of 50–70 mesh (300–212 µm) and FC of 10–30 wt% of the GSF. The manufactured r-LDPE/GSF composite was tested for UTS, ELG and TEM and optimized by considering these process variables of GSF, PS and FC with RSM. The outcome indicated that at optimum condition, the UTS, ELG and TEM were 8.5072 MPa, 12.83% and 0.94007 GPa, respectively. The parameters at this point were PS and FC of 60.48 mesh (250 µm) and 30 wt%, respectively. The coefficient of determination (R 2) was close to 0.99. The percentage of relative errors between raw experimental reading and the RSM was <0.16. Based on the result of the work, the predicted RSM data on tensile properties of r-LDPE/GSF composite shows that is a potential engineering material for structural application.

Effect of particle size on the properties of avocado pear wood fiber/low-density polyethylene composite enhanced by pretreatment

Government,

Okeke

2023

The work entailed the influence of particle size on the characteristics and water absorption resistance of avocado pear wood fiber/low-density polyethylene (APWF/LDPE) composite enhanced by pretreatment. The fiber particle of 100, 80, 60, 40, and 20 mesh (150, 180, 250, 425, and 850 µm) for the avocado wood fiber (APWF) was infused in the resin. Each particle of the fiber with fiber content of 5–25 wt% for the untreated, pretreated with NaOH, NaOH + CH3COOH, and NaOH + CH3COOH + MAPE was intermixed in the resin to produce the APWF/LDPE composites, respectively. The APWF/LDPE composites were analyzed on the properties, water absorption resistance, Fourier transform infra-red, and scanning electron microscopy. The study exhibited that mechanical properties and water absorption resistance of the APWF/LDPE composite were improved at lower particle of the fiber triggered by treatment. The best properties were confirmed at 150 µm of APWF pretreated with NaOH + CH3COOH + MAPE when compounded with the resin. These were proportional to 15.92 MPa, 0.867 GPa, 41.39 MPa, 0.662 GPa, 683 Pa, 84.04 kJ m−2, and 2.44 % for tensile strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, bending modulus, Brinell hardness, impact strength, and water absorption resistance, respectively. The APWF/LDPE composite for NaOH + CH3COOH + MAPE pretreated is recommended for interior cabinet of an automobile.