EFFECTS OF HYBRIDIZATION OF PALM KERNEL FIBRE AND SNAIL SHELL FILLER ON SOME END-USE PROPERTIES OF EPOXY-BASED COMPOSITES

Abstract

This work studied the effects of hybridization of palm kernel shells fibre (PKF) and snail shells filler (SSF) on microstructural, mechanical, and water absorption properties of epoxy-based composites. Microstructure analysis of the composite samples was conducted using a digital optical microscope. Universal testing machine (UTM) was employed to evaluate the mechanical properties (tensile and compressive strengths) of the composite. Shore D hardness Durometer was used to evaluate the composite material's resistance to deformation, while Izod impact tester was deployed to determine the impact strength of the composites. The gravimetric technique was used to measure the water absorption by the composites. Results showed that the microstructures of the epoxy-based composite samples (8 – 10) with hybridized PKF and SSF fillers revealed improper mixing and non uniform distribution of the filler materials, particularly on samples 8 and 10, while sample 9 appear to be uniformly distributed. Further, sample 10 gave highest ultimate tensile strength of 12.721 MPa and impact strength of 0.211 J/mm2, while sample 9 displayed highest value of Young’s modulus of elasticity of 209.469 MPa, compared to the epoxy-based composites with mono fillers of PKF and SSF. The water absorption assessment showed that water absorption increased with increasing temperature