ABSTRACT
This research is to develop environmentally friendly, lightweight composites using cow horn as filler in some thermoplastic polymer matrices High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polystyrene (PS), Polypropylene (PP) and Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS); to determine the creep rate properties of the cow horn-residue polymer composite, to find if there is any new improvement over the properties of the starting thermoplastic. Coconut shell was collected from the surroundings of Ekwulumili in Nnewi-South L.G.A of Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria where they have been dumped after usage. The research was carried-out between May 2016 and August 2018. The agro-wastes were grand into power and incorporated into the virgin thermoplastic polymers as filler at varied levels of 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% and 15%. The virgin HDPE, PS, PP and ABS thermoplastic polymers were used as the Control in the study. The mechanical properties of the composites produced were determined using American standard for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Standard Testing Methods. The production of coconut shell thermoplastic composite at different percentage fillers reinforcement showed bean overall higher creep rate than Control especially in HDPE, PP and ABS. Creep rate of was obtained by loading HDPE with 3% of coconut shell filler, 6% had Creep rate of , 9% had creep rate of , 12% had creep rate of and 15% had creep rate of respectively. Pure HDPE has creep rate of . PS loaded with 3% of coconut shell filler has creep rate of , 6% had creep rate of , 9% had creep rate of , 12% had creep rate of and 15% had creep rate of while the pure PS polymer has creep rate of . At 3% of coconut shell filler, the creep rate was , 6% had creep rate of , 9% had creep rate of , 12% had creep rate of and 15% had creep rate of as the pure PP polymer had creep rate of respectively. Pure ABS polymer has creep rate of , while 3% had creep rate of , 6% had creep rate of , 9% had creep rate of , 12% had creep rate of , 15% had creep rate of respectively. The Creep rate of polymer matrices loaded with coconut shell with exception of PS matrix composites at different percentages have stable and good behaviour of material after being subjected to high levels of stress. There was a significant improvement in creep mechanical property when different percentages of agro-wastes were incorporated in HDPE, PP, and ABS polymer matrices than the virgin polymers. The study has provided combinations of matrix/natural fillers that promote formation of new classes of composites and products with lower cost, light weight, good behaviour, high specific strength, eco-friendly nature and availability which also has potential application in the automobile and building construction industry.
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