An Experimental Study of the Properties of Bamboo Particle Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Biocomposites

Production of biodegradable polymer matrix biocomposites that are cost effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly with desirable properties using particles as discontinuous phase (filler) is a welcome development. In this study, bamboo particle reinforced epoxy resin matrix biocomposites...

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Main Authors: Stephen Durowaye, Amos Abayomi, Charles Ochulor, Comfort Akindutire, Victor Okafor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Baghdad 2025-02-01
Series:Journal of Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://joe.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/main/article/view/3628
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author Stephen Durowaye
Amos Abayomi
Charles Ochulor
Comfort Akindutire
Victor Okafor
author_facet Stephen Durowaye
Amos Abayomi
Charles Ochulor
Comfort Akindutire
Victor Okafor
author_sort Stephen Durowaye
collection DOAJ
description Production of biodegradable polymer matrix biocomposites that are cost effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly with desirable properties using particles as discontinuous phase (filler) is a welcome development. In this study, bamboo particle reinforced epoxy resin matrix biocomposites were developed by stir casting method. Varied weight percentages (5 to 30 wt. %)  of  100 µm bamboo particles were added separately and blended with an epoxy resin – hardener matrix. The blends were fed into a fabricated wooden mould and allowed to cure at room temperature. After 24 hrs, the specimens were removed from the mould and subjected to microstructural examination using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Furthermore, the physical and mechanical properties characterisation of the specimens were also carried out. The results obtained from the experiments showed the presence of pores in the microstructure of the specimens and the distribution of reinforcing particles in the epoxy matrix. The reinforced composites (S2 to S6) demonstrated an appreciable increase in density when compared with the unreinforced control specimen (C1). Specimens (S2 to S6) demonstrated lower water absorption than C1. The composites demonstrated increased ultimate tensile strength with filler addition up to 25 wt. %. Similarly, the reinforced specimens demonstrated improved hardness as the weight percent (wt. %) of bamboo particles increased up to 25 wt. %. However, the composites demonstrated a reduction in impact energy as filler content increased when compared with the control specimen. Specimen S5 formulation, which contained 25 wt. % of reinforcing particles demonstrated the best properties in terms of density, water absorption, hardness, and ultimate tensile strength. These findings highlight the effectiveness of bamboo particles in enhancing the physical and mechanical properties of the developed ecofriendly biocomposites.
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spelling doaj-art-fc84b335af66448093206f23a31960d02025-02-03T10:42:19ZengUniversity of BaghdadJournal of Engineering1726-40732520-33392025-02-0131210.31026/j.eng.2025.02.01An Experimental Study of the Properties of Bamboo Particle Reinforced Epoxy Matrix BiocompositesStephen Durowaye0Amos Abayomi1Charles Ochulor2Comfort Akindutire3Victor Okafor4Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of LagosDepartment of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of LagosDepartment of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of LagosDepartment of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of LagosDepartment of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos Production of biodegradable polymer matrix biocomposites that are cost effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly with desirable properties using particles as discontinuous phase (filler) is a welcome development. In this study, bamboo particle reinforced epoxy resin matrix biocomposites were developed by stir casting method. Varied weight percentages (5 to 30 wt. %)  of  100 µm bamboo particles were added separately and blended with an epoxy resin – hardener matrix. The blends were fed into a fabricated wooden mould and allowed to cure at room temperature. After 24 hrs, the specimens were removed from the mould and subjected to microstructural examination using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Furthermore, the physical and mechanical properties characterisation of the specimens were also carried out. The results obtained from the experiments showed the presence of pores in the microstructure of the specimens and the distribution of reinforcing particles in the epoxy matrix. The reinforced composites (S2 to S6) demonstrated an appreciable increase in density when compared with the unreinforced control specimen (C1). Specimens (S2 to S6) demonstrated lower water absorption than C1. The composites demonstrated increased ultimate tensile strength with filler addition up to 25 wt. %. Similarly, the reinforced specimens demonstrated improved hardness as the weight percent (wt. %) of bamboo particles increased up to 25 wt. %. However, the composites demonstrated a reduction in impact energy as filler content increased when compared with the control specimen. Specimen S5 formulation, which contained 25 wt. % of reinforcing particles demonstrated the best properties in terms of density, water absorption, hardness, and ultimate tensile strength. These findings highlight the effectiveness of bamboo particles in enhancing the physical and mechanical properties of the developed ecofriendly biocomposites. https://joe.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/main/article/view/3628BiocompositeBamboo particleEpoxy resinStir castingProperties
spellingShingle Stephen Durowaye
Amos Abayomi
Charles Ochulor
Comfort Akindutire
Victor Okafor
An Experimental Study of the Properties of Bamboo Particle Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Biocomposites
Journal of Engineering
Biocomposite
Bamboo particle
Epoxy resin
Stir casting
Properties
title An Experimental Study of the Properties of Bamboo Particle Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Biocomposites
title_full An Experimental Study of the Properties of Bamboo Particle Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Biocomposites
title_fullStr An Experimental Study of the Properties of Bamboo Particle Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Biocomposites
title_full_unstemmed An Experimental Study of the Properties of Bamboo Particle Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Biocomposites
title_short An Experimental Study of the Properties of Bamboo Particle Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Biocomposites
title_sort experimental study of the properties of bamboo particle reinforced epoxy matrix biocomposites
topic Biocomposite
Bamboo particle
Epoxy resin
Stir casting
Properties
url https://joe.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/main/article/view/3628
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