Impact of Mixed Fillers on the Physico-mechanical Properties of Flexible Polyether Foam

The effect of proportional blend of periwinkle and African star apple seed shell as bio-fillers in flexible polyether foam was studied. Flexible polyether foam samples incorporated with these bio-fillers at varying percentages; 10% (S1), 20% (S2), 30% (S3), 40% (S4) and 50% (S5) were produced respectively, while 0% (S0) which had no filler was used as control during the experiment. The mechanical properties of the produced foam samples were determined via density, compression set, indentation hardness, tensile strength and elongation at break tests. The cream time, rise time and height of the foam as parameters for characterising the produced foam samples were determined too. Flammability test was also carried out.The microstructure of the foam samples was analysed as well by using the scanning electron microscope. The results of the experiment showed that the density of the foam samples progressively increased from 19.20 (S0) – 26.45 (S5) as the quantity of the filler increased. The indentation hardness result also showed an increase on addition of the filler. The foam’s loading ability also increased on incorporation of the filler but S3 showed remarkable recovery after compression. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the foam decreased on addition of the filler. The morphological analysis ascertained the effect of the progressive introduction of the filler on the surface morphology of the foam. The flammability of the foam was found to decrease as the filler load increased. Since these fillers are of organic origin, readily available, cheap and eco-friendly, they provide a means of making biodegradable foam, and reducing the flammability of foam. Thus, reducing environmental pollution whilst enhancing the mechanical property of foam

Mechanical impact evaluation of natural fibres with LDPE plastic composites : waste management in perspective

DATA AVAILABILITY : Data will be made available on request.There is increased enthusiasm towards the use of natural hair fibers for plastic reinforcement due to their toughness and light weight. In this research, low density polyethylene (LDPE) was reinforced using 0.25 ​M NaOH treated cow tail, human and sheep hair fibers at 2, 4, 6 and 8% concentration respectively prior to injection moulding. The average densities, diameters and lengths of hair fibres were assessed The results obtained from the analysis of reinforced LDPE composites indicated that cow tail hair gave the highest average density and diameter. Sheep hair had the highest length after grinding. The study also analyzed the ultimate tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength and modulus, elongation, impact and hardness test on the polymer and their composites as well as the morphology and statistical analysis of the composite. This study indicated that human hair LDPE composites achieved highest flexural strength, flexural modulus, ultimate tensile strength and tensile modulus at 8% fibre loading whereas elongation at break and hardness were at 4% fibre loading while impact strength was at 2%. The cow tail hair LDPE composite gave the best impact strength at 8% fibre loading and sheep hair at 6%. The SEM results showed no serious manufacturing defects on the composites. The analysis of variance indicated that only the means of the composites’ flexural properties were statistically significant. This study shows that short animal hair fibres could be effectively used to reinforced LDPE, and therefore suggest an alternative waste management strategy of these natural fibres that are currently viewed as environmental nuisance in the study area.https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/current-research-in-green-and-sustainable-chemistryhj2023Future Afric

Reinforcement of polypropylene with natural fibers : mitigation of environmental pollution

DATA AVAILABILITY : Data will be made available on request.Recently, natural fibers have gained research attention in reinforcing polymers due to their availability and unique properties in polymer applications. Preliminary studies indicate indiscriminate disposal of human hair (HH) and the burning of cow hair (CH) and sheep hair (SH) by abattoir operators in Nigeria; this has become a source of concern owing to the hazardous nature of these activities to human health and the environment. This study is, therefore, essential and seeks to utilize these waste materials in an environmentally sustainable way, as the hair fibers used in this work are renewable and will enhance the economy of any country if adequately utilized. The composites of Polypropylene (PP), human, sheep, and cow tail hair fibers were prepared at different weight percentage concentrations of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 w% using an injection molding machine. Untreated and treated PP composites were analyzed for average diameter, length, and density; the composites were also characterized for ultimate tensile strength, flexural strength, hardness, and impact strength. The average diameter assessment indicates viz: Cow tail hair > Human hair > Sheep hair. The sequence for hair fiber lengths shows that Sheep hair > Human hair > Cow hair, and the order for average density is Cow tail hair > Human hair > Sheep hair. The analysis of the mechanical properties of the reinforced and unreinforced PP composite showed that the Human hair/PP composite gave the best enhancement for ultimate tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength, and modulus at 8% fiber loading. Cow tail hair/PP composite yielded the best elongation at break at 2% fiber loading. Human hair/PP composite showed the best yield for impact strength at 4% fiber loading, while the Cow tail hair composite performed best for the hardness test at 2% fiber loading. The surface scanning electronic microscope (SEM) images showed no significant manufacturing defect on composites except for the air entrapment in the image of cow tail hair. The study also observed that there is no fiber breakage or void observed in the images. SEM images of the PP-composites interface at 8% maximum loading showed reasonably good fiber adhesion to the polymer matrix. This study is recommended for environmental sustainability and to improve material properties for various applications.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/envcam202

Reinforcement of polypropylene with natural fibers: Mitigation of environmental pollution

ABSTRACT: Recently, natural fibers have gained research attention in reinforcing polymers due to their availability and unique properties in polymer applications. Preliminary studies indicate indiscriminate disposal of human hair (HH) and the burning of cow hair (CH) and sheep hair (SH) by abattoir operators in Nigeria; this has become a source of concern owing to the hazardous nature of these activities to human health and the environment. This study is, therefore, essential and seeks to utilize these waste materials in an environmentally sustainable way, as the hair fibers used in this work are renewable and will enhance the economy of any country if adequately utilized. The composites of Polypropylene (PP), human, sheep, and cow tail hair fibers were prepared at different weight percentage concentrations of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 w% using an injection molding machine. Untreated and treated PP composites were analyzed for average diameter, length, and density; the composites were also characterized for ultimate tensile strength, flexural strength, hardness, and impact strength. The average diameter assessment indicates viz: Cow tail hair > Human hair > Sheep hair. The sequence for hair fiber lengths shows that Sheep hair > Human hair > Cow hair, and the order for average density is Cow tail hair > Human hair >Sheep hair. The analysis of the mechanical properties of the reinforced and unreinforced PP composite showed that the Human hair/PP composite gave the best enhancement for ultimate tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength, and modulus at 8% fiber loading. Cow tail hair/PP composite yielded the best elongation at break at 2% fiber loading. Human hair/PP composite showed the best yield for impact strength at 4% fiber loading, while the Cow tail hair composite performed best for the hardness test at 2% fiber loading. The surface scanning electronic microscope (SEM) images showed no significant manufacturing defect on composites except for the air entrapment in the image of cow tail hair. The study also observed that there is no fiber breakage or void observed in the images. SEM images of the PP-composites interface at 8% maximum loading showed reasonably good fiber adhesion to the polymer matrix. This study is recommended for environmental sustainability and to improve material properties for various applications