ABSTRACT
The effect of notches on the strength of Coir – reinforced cashew
nut shell resin composite was investigated. Composite laminates
with six different fibre contents (0,0,1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 volume
fractions) were fabricated using the hand lay – up moulding
method. A static fracture testing equipment was designed and
fabricated in the absence of a functional fracture testing machine.
Static fracture tests were performed on the notched composites
with different notch depths and locations. The 0.4 volume fraction
of the fibre was determined as the optimum level of fibre necessary
for reinforcing the composites for maximum strength. The fracture
strength of the composite increased with decreasing notch depth.
The strength of the laminates also increased with the notch
locations. Again, varying both notch depths and locations had no
effect initially on the strength of the composite.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Certification – – – – – – – – i
Dedication – – – – – – – ii
Acknowledgment – – – – – – iii
Abstract – – – – – – – iv
Table of Contents – – – – – – v
List of tables – – – – – – – vi
List of figure – – – – – – – vii
1.0 Introduction – – – – – – 1
2.0 Literature Review – – – – – 4
3.0 Materials, Equipment and methods – – 15
4.0 Results – – – – – – – 32
5.0 Discussion of Results – – – – 37
6.0 Conclusions and Recommendations – – 42
References – – – – – – – 44
7
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1 – – – – – 32
Table 4.2 – – – – – 33
Table4.3 – – – – – 33
Table4.4 – – – – – 34
Table 4.5 – – – – – 34
Table 4.6 – – – – – 35
Table4.7 – – – – – 35
Table 4.8 – – – – – 36
Table 4.9 – – – – – 36
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Natural fibre is commonly regarded as waste and is disposed
by burning or on landfills and this practice contributes to pollution.
In order to preserve the environment, it is necessary to find
economically feasible solutions to natural fibre as recyclable
materials which could be used for different applications, ranging
from handicrafts to reinforcement elements for composite
materials (Sukumaran, et al, 1982).
Coconut palm tree (coco nucifera) is a multivalent fibre
producer. Its fibre can be extracted from any part of the leaves, the
long leaf sheath, the midribs of the leaves, the balk of the stalk and
the fruit crust. Coir fibres are extracted from both the exocarp and
the endocarp of the fruit. These coir fibres are currently being used
in the form of mats in applications such as substrates for
ornamental plants, soil support and seat cushion for automobiles.
Since the application of natural fibres is of current interest
around the world and a commercial potential market already exists,
10
the present work investigates the effect of notches on the strength
of coir-reinforced cashew nut shell resin composite.
1.1 RELEVANCE OF THE RESEARCH
The fibre from the coconut fruit crust that is nowadays
disposed as an unwanted waste is a recyclable potential alternative
to be used in polymeric matrix composite materials like ceiling
boards or gypsum panels.
The effect of notches on the strength of the composite is
critical to its application in engineering systems and this is the
primary aim of this study.
Therefore, the objectives of this study are:
1. To determine the effect of notch depths and locations on the
strength of the composite.
2. To determine the optimum level of fibre necessary for
reinforcing the composite.
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