Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Article Title: Morphological Trends of Modified Coconut Fibre in Natural Rubber Reinforcement
by Momoh, F.P, Mamza, P.A.P; Gimba, C.E and Nkeonye, P.

Abstract:
In this report, Coconut fibre was modified through carbonization and the trends in the morphological changes and impact was studied on natural rubber vulcanisates in solving the problem of seeking for more cost effective materials for most applications than conventional materials such as wood, steel, or concrete in terms of life cycle costs. Carbonization was effected at varying temperatures of 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700oC for three hours each in order to improve on mechanical properties. The treated and raw fillers were ground and passed through 100�m sieve. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was conducted on the carbonized fillers to trace modification trends. Other confirmatory evaluative measures of mechanical properties such as hardness, abrasion resistance, compressive strength, tensile strength and flexural strength were made on the composites. Scanning Electron monographs analyses clearly showed finer and cleaner particle aggregates with increase in carbonization temperature of the Coconut fibre. The finer aggregates bonded more strongly with the natural rubber matrix and hence provided a clear confirmatory indication of an improvement obtained in the mechanical and sorption properties of the composites with carbonized Coconut fibre up to 600 oC. Results achieved are significant at making scientific attempts at seeking alternative methods of natural rubber reinforcements through appropriate morphological re-orientations. The results show the potential of modified coconut fibre in reinforced composites as an alternative material for aerospace, transportation, construction, electrical/electronic devices and corrosion-resistant equipments.

Keywords: morphology, filler, carbonization, rubber, sem and trends.

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