Influence of Treatments on the Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin Hybrid Composites Reinforced with Pineapple Fiber and Snail Shell Particulates

Abstract

The growing environmental concern regarding synthetic materials in various engineering applications is driving increased research into the production of green composites. In this study, pineapple leaf fiber (PLF) and snail shell powder amended with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution, at concentration levels of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8% for 30, 60 and 90 minutes, respectively, were used to produce various composite samples; and their mechanical properties tested in agreement with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International approved procedures. The laboratory test results revealed that both the NaOH concentration and treatment period considerably influenced the tensile and flexural strengths of the composite samples. It was observed that the composite samples, made with reinforcement materials modified with NaOH concentrations of 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% for durations of 30, 60, and 90 minutes, exhibited tensile strengths of 8.12, 9.88, 11.04, 14.11, and 16.74 MPa; 10.93, 14.22, 17.04, and 15.71 MPa; and 12.27, 15.19, 14.06, and 13.84 MPa, respectively. Similarly, the results portrayed that the composite samples produced with reinforcement materials treated with 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% sodium hydroxide concentrations for durations of 30, 60 and 90 minutes, developed flexural strength of 31.98, 38.82, 43.97 and 49.03 MPa; 36.55, 44.17, 53.38 and 47.93 MPa; and 39.62, 46.08, 48.17 and 43.66 MPa, respectively. It was also interesting to observe that 6% NaOH treatment for 60 minutes yields the optimum tensile and bending strengths of 17.04 and 53.38 MPa respectively. This finding revealed the potential of using bio-composites for engineering applications, mostly where moderate tensile and flexural strengths characteristics are sought after.