A Study on the Mechanical Properties of Low Density Polyethylene Composite Reinforced with Baobab Pod Fibre (BPF)

Abstract

This study focused on the use of Baobab pod fibres as a potential reinforcement material for Low density polyethylene (LDPE) polymer. The fibre reinforced composites were produced using compression moulding at a temperature of 150⁰C for 30 min and a formulation of Baobab pod fibre (BPF) to Low density polyethylene (LDPE) ratios of 10-90 wt%, 20-80 wt%, 30-70 wt% and 40-60 wt% were used respectively. The mechanical properties namely; tensile strength, impact strength, flexural strength and hardness of the composites produced were then investigated. The composite with 10-90 wt% BPF/LDPE ratios was found to have the best mechanical properties with tensile property of 75.72 MPa, Impact strength of 4.46 J/mm², flexural strength of 17.24 MPa and hardness of 26.7 HV. Based on the results obtained, it shows that Baobab pod fibres have excellent properties for use as polymer reinforcement that can be used for various applications.