Comparative Study of Physical Properties of Polymer Composites Reinforced with Uncarbonised and Carbonised Coir

F. O. Aguele, C. I. Madufor, K. F. Adekunle

Chemical Engineering Department, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.
Polymer and Textile Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/ojpchem.2014.43009                

Abstract

This study involved the use of uncarbonised and carbonised coir in preparing composites of a given polymer. In this case natural rubber (NR) was used. Uncarbonised coir (UC) and carbonised coir (CC) were separately used to prepare the polymer composites. Carbon black (CB) was also used differently and the filler loadings for all varied between 0 and 50 phr. Before using the uncarbonised coir and carbonised coir, they were characterised on the basis of moisture content, pH, particles size and surface area. The properties of the various composite samples prepared were then investigated. The results of the tests obtained for the NR-UC composites were compared with those of NR-CC and also with those of NR-CB composites. It was observed that for hardness, the results obtained from composites of UC and CC fillers showed similar trends with those of carbon black (CB) reinforced composites, increasing with increase in filler volume. For the tensile strength and modulus a trend of slight rise was observed. There were no sharp rises in values as filler volumes were increased. UC and CC fillers were observed to impart very poorly on the tensile strength and modulus relative to the CB reinforced composites. The results from test for elongation, compression set and flex fatigue showed a falling trend for all the fillers to a comparable level with CB. It was generally observed that the uncarbonised coir presented better potentials for reinforcement than the carbonised coir.

Keywords

Polymer, Composites, Reinforcing, Fillers, Coir and Vulcanisation

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Michael Ashby, F. and David Jones, R.H. (1998) Engineering Materials 2. An Introduction to Microstructures, Pro-cessing and Design. 2nd Edition. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford.
[2]	Katchy, E.M. (2000) Introduction to Polymer Technology. 1st Edition, El Demark, Enugu.
[3]	Asore, E.J. (2000) An Introduction to Rubber Technology. Joseg Books, Benin City.
[4]	Peply, H.E. (1987) Engineered Materials Handbook. ASM International, Ohio.
[5]	Herakovich, C.T. (1998) Mechanics of Fibrous Composites. John Wiley and Sons Inc., New York.
[6]	Akovali, G. and Uyanik, N. (2001) Handbook of Composite Fabrication. Rapra Tech Ltd., Shrewsbury.
[7]	Aguele, F.O. and Madufor, C.I. (2012) Effects of Carbonised Coir on Physical Properties of Natural Rubber Composites. American Journal of Polymer Science, 2, 28-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.5923/j.ajps.20120203.02
[8]	Brydson, J.A. (1985) Plastic Materials. 4th Edition, Butterworth, London.
[9]	Rowell, R.M. (1998) Property Enhanced Natural Fibre Composite Material Based on Chemical Modification. Science and Technology of Polymer and Advanced Material. Plenum Press, New York.
[10]	Egwakhide, P.A., Akporhonor, E.E. and Okieimen, F.E. (2007) Effect of Coconut Fibre Filler on the Cure Characteristics, Physico-Mechanical and Swelling Properties of Natural Rubber Vulcanisates. International Journal of Physical Sciences, 2, 39.
[11]	Ski, K.B. (1970) Engineering Materials. Properties and Selection. Reston Publishing, New York.
[12]	Honday, L. (1966) Composite Materials. Elsevier, New York.
[13]	Billmeyer, F.W. (1970) A Textbook of Polymer Science. John Wiley and Sons, New York.
[14]	Bhatnagar, M.S. (2004) A Textbook of Polymers: Chemistry and Technology of Polymers. Processing and Applications, Vol. II. 1st Edition, S Chand, New Delhi.
[15]	Cain, M.E. (1974) Engineering Design with Natural Rubber. Malaysian Rubber Producers’ Research Association, Hertford, England.
[16]	Kumar, A. and Gupta, R.K. (1998) Fundamentals of Polymers. International Edition, McGraw Hill, Singapore.
[17]	Drivers, W.E. (1979) Plastic Chemistry and Technology. Van Nostrand, London.
[18]	Boonstra, B.B. (1971) Rubber Technology and Manufacture. Blow, C.M., Ed., 3rd Edition, Butterworth, London, 227.
[19]	Wafwoyo, W., Seo, C.W. and Marshall, W.E. (2001) Utilization of Peanut Shells as Adsorbents for Selected Metals. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 74, 1117-1121. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-4660(199911)74:11<1117::AID-JCTB151>3.0.CO;2-R
[20]	Okieimen, F.E. and Imanah, J.E. (2005) Physico-Mechanical and Equilibrium Swelling Properties of Natural Rubber Filled with Rubber Seed Shell Carbon. Journal of Polymer Materials, 22, 409.
[21]	Adeosun, B.F. (2000) Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Natural Rubber Composites Reinforced with Agricultural Wastes. Nigerian Journal of Polymer Science and Technology, 1, 58-62.
[22]	ASTM-D3184-80 (1983) Standard Attest Method for Compounding Rubber.
[23]	ASTM-D1415-06 (2012) Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property—Hardness.
[24]	ASTM-412 (2011) Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property—Tensile Strength and Elongation.
[25]	ASTM-5963-04 (2010) Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property—Abrasion Resistance.
[26]	ASTM-D395-03 (2008) Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property—Compression Set.
[27]	ASTM-D430 (2012) Standard Test Methods for Rubber Property—Flex Fatigue.
[28]	Horn, J.B. (1971) Rubber Technology and Manufacture. Blow, C.M., Ed., 3rd Edition, Butterworth, London.
[29]	Okieimen, F.E. and Imanah, J.E. (2003) Characterization of Agricultural Waste Products as Fillers in Natural Rubber Formulations. Nigerian Journal of Polymer Science and Technology, 3, 201.
[30]	Parkinson, D. (1957) Reinforcement of Rubbers. Lakeman and Co., London, 12.
[31]	Wagner, M.P. (1976) Silicone Rubber Compositions Incorporating Silicone Treated Carbon Black. Rubber Chemistry and Technology, 50, 342.
[32]	Cohan, L.H. and Spielman, R. (1948) Inorganic Pigments in Natural and Synthetic Rubber. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry, 40, 2204-2210. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ie50467a042
[33]	Oguniyi, D.S. (1989) CaCO3 as Filler in Rubbers. Nigerian Journal of Applied Sciences, 7, 87.
[34]	Morton, M. (1987) Rubber Technology. 3rd Edition, Van Nostrand, New York.
[35]	Patterman, M.Q. (1986) Chemorheology of Model Filled Rubber Compound during Curing. Rubber World, 194, 38.
[36]	Ishak, Z.A.M. and Bakar, A.A. (1995) An Investigation on the Potential of Rice Husk Ash as Fillers for Epoxidised Natural Rubber. European Polymer Journal, 31, 259-269. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0014-3057(94)00156-1
[37]	Hephburm, C. (1971) Rubber Technology and Manufacture. Blow, C.M., Ed., 3rd Edition, Butterworth, London, 188.
[38]	Rivin, D. (1963) Polymer-Filler Interaction in Rubber Reinforcement. Rubber Chemistry and Technology, 36, 729.