Effects of Crab Shell and Charcoal Reinforcements on the Mechanical Properties of Polyester Composites

  • B.O. Bolasodun Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos. Nigeria.
  • O.I. Rufai Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos. Nigeria.
  • G.I. Lawal Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos. Nigeria.
Keywords: Mechanical properties, Polyester, Charcoal and Crab shell, Reinforcements

Abstract

In this work, the effect of particulate crab shell and charcoal reinforcements on the mechanical properties of
polyester composites was investigated. Polyester composites with Crab Shell and Charcoal reinforcements of
varying weight percents ranging from 5 percent to 25 percent with five percent weight intervals were prepared.
These samples were subjected to tensile, impact, hardness and flexural tests. Mechanical tests revealed that
there was a non - uniform increase with the Crab Shell and Charcoal reinforcement additions. The composites,
nonetheless exhibited different maximum properties at specific percentages of reinforcement additions.
The polyester composites with 20 percent weight percent of Crab Shell and Charcoal reinforcements exhibited
the maximum bending strength, and can be considered for applications where flexibility is a major
consideration. Polyester composites reinforced with 20 percent and 25 percent of Crab Shell and Charcoal
particles showed the highest impact strength. These composites can be used in applications where impact
strength is a major concern. The composites with 20 percent and 25 percent of Crab Shell and Charcoal
respectively gave the highest tensile values, while the 15 percent and 10 percent of Crab Shell and Charcoal
reinforced composites were the hardest of all the samples and may be recommended for applications where
hardness is a major consideration.

References

Barcelos, M. A., Simonassi, N. T., Monteiro, S. N. and Margem, F. M. (2014). Impact tests in polyester matrix
composites reinforced with continuous curaua fiber, CongressoBrasileiro de Engenharia e Ciência dos
Materials (CBECIMAT), Cuiabá, MT, Brazil.
Durowaye, S. I., Lawal, G. I., Akande, M. A. and Durowaye V. O. (2014). Mechanical properties of particulate
coconut shell and palm fruit polyester composites. International Journal of Materials Engineering
2014, 4(4): 141-147
Laly, A., Pothan, S., Thomas, N. R. and Neelakantan, (1997). Short banana fiber reinforced polyester
composites: mechanical, failure and aging Characteristics. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and
Composites 16(8):744-765 ·
Donald R. A., Pradeep P. F., and Wendelin J. W (2010). The Science and Engineering of Materials, 6th edition.
Njokua R. E, Okona A.E., Ikpakia T.C. (2011) Effects of variation of particle size and weight fraction on the
tensile strength and modulus of periwinkle shell reinforced polyester composite. Nigerian Journal of
Technology 30(2): 92-98
Meenambika, G. B. and Raghavendra, R.H (2014) Mechanical and chemical properties Of Bamboo/Glass fibers
reinforced polyester hybrid composite, Industrial Engineering Letters, 4(4).
Nwigbo S. C., Okafor, T.C and Atuanya, C.U (2013) The mechanical properties of castor seed shell-polyester
matrix composites, Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology 5(11): 3159-
3164.
Rafah A. N. (2015) Preparation and characterization of eggshell powder (ESP) and study of its effect on
unsaturated polyester composites material, Iraqi Journal of Applied Physics, 11(1): 25-28.
Raghad U.A (2015) Mechanical behavior of natural material (Orange peel) reinforced polyester composite,
International Journal of Engineering Sciences & Research Technology, 4(3).
Raghad, U.A., Falak, U.A. and Mohamed, O.A. (2015) Improvement of mechanical properties of polyester
composite reinforced by bio filler (Acro Shell), International Journal of Innovative Science, Engineering
& Technology, 2(3).
Monteiro, S.N., Terrones, L.A. and d’Almeida, J.R (2005). “Mechanical strength of polyester matrix composites
reinforced with coconut fiber wastes, RevistaMatéria, 10(4): 571 – 576.
Published
2020-07-26
How to Cite
Bolasodun , B., Rufai, O., & Lawal, G. (2020). Effects of Crab Shell and Charcoal Reinforcements on the Mechanical Properties of Polyester Composites. Journal of Engineering Research, 23(2), 13-24. Retrieved from http://jer.unilag.edu.ng/article/view/976