MODIFICATION, CHARACTERISATION AND APPLICATION OF COCONUT WASTES AS FILLERS IN RUBBER COMPOUNDING
MODIFICATION, CHARACTERISATION AND APPLICATION OF COCONUT WASTES AS FILLERS IN RUBBER COMPOUNDING
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Date
2017-10
Authors
MOMOH, FRIDAY PATRICK
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Abstract
In this study, coconut palm wastes were obtained, washed to remove sands and debris
and then dried at 95oC for 1 hr to remove surface moisture. Filler modifications through
carbonisation were done at varying temperatures of 300oC, 400oC, 500oC, 600oC and
700oC. Both raw fillers and carbonised fillers were ground to achieve 100 μm particle
sizes, after which they were characterised. Formulations were appropriately drawn for
the mixing and compounding process. Rheological determination and flow properties
were evaluated. Physico-mechanical measurement of hardness, abrasion resistance
index, compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus and elongation
at break to ascertain composites reinforcement levels were also carried out. All
measurements were according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
standards. Furthermore, qualitative assessments of modification levels were estimated
using Fourier infrared spectroscopic studies (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD),
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) of elemental oxides presence, scanning electron microscopic
analysis (SEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and chemical resistance
measurements through sorption inference and analysis. Carbonisation strengthened the
polymer-carbon bond and therefore increased reinforcements of the composite matrix
effectively at 500oC for the coconut shell and 600oC for the coconut fibre. Optimum
formulations of 500oC for the shell and 600oC for the fibre were technically utilised in
the engineering design and manufacture of vibration dampeners for motor cycle hub and
industrial oil seals for bambury mixers employed in the mixing and mastication of
rubbers. Qualitative comparisons in properties such as resilience/rebound study,
hysteresis, dynamic flex cracking, flex fatigue, weathering/ozone resistance and
chemical resistance showed a comparatively good products when functionally and
aesthetically compared to available commercial grades. The formulated products were of high performance quality. Modification through carbonisation therefore created a
positive effect and improvements on the morphology, degree of
crystallisation/crystallite formations, physico-mechanical properties, chemical
resistance, weathering/ozone resistance, and development in resilience/rebound
properties, thermal gravimetric degradation/stability, and improvement in active
elemental oxides and depletion of lignocelluloses of the coconut shell and fibre through
infrared spectroscopic study. The results of mechanical and chemical sorption properties
that gave the optimised formulation for the fibre and shell composites used in the
modeled products were further theoretically evaluated through predictive and statistical
analysis of variance (ANOVA). The new Duncan‟s multiple range test (DMRT) was
used to verify the significance differences between subject factors of mechanical
properties and samples (modification temperatures) at 95% probability and
deterministic levels. A great proportion of the properties and samples satisfied the
significant measurement levels and therefore positive agreements between theoretical
and experimental results were established as a contribution to reinforcements. All these
noticed improvements resulted in better filler-rubber adhesion and interactions and
specifically leading to the reinforcement of the resulting composites and therefore
present the composites as useful materials for predictive product development in
engineering designs and applications.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the School of Postgraduate Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Polymer Science and Technology Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Keywords
MODIFICATION,, CHARACTERISATION,, APPLICATION,, COCONUT WASTES,, FILLERS,, RUBBER COMPOUNDING,