Effect of Surface Modification on the Properties of Polypropylene Matrix Reinforced with Coir Fibre and Yam Peel Particulate.

Polypropylene composites reinforced with coir fibre and yam peel particulate were produced using compression moulding machine. Treated and untreated coir fibres were used; 1.5 M NaOH was used for the treated coir fibres. Yam peel was grouped into two, treated and untreated; the treated was modified using 1 M solution of NaOH and HCl in the proportion of 30% and 70%, respectively. The yam peel which was sun-dried for 14 days was pulverized and sieved to -45 m. Samples were developed using treated and untreated reinforcements (TCF/YPP and UCF/YPP) at constant coir fibre proportion (15%) and varied amount of yam peel particulate (2, 4, 6, and 8 wt.%). The hybrid composite samples developed were probed for mechanical properties and thermal and wear behaviour. The level of particles agglomeration at the fibre-matrix interface was examined using scanning electron microscope. The results show that sample reinforced with treated 4 wt.% coir fibre and yam peel particulate had optimum mechanical properties. However, the thermal conductivity of composite samples increased with fibre addition. All composite samples developed had better resistance to abrasion when compared to the control sample.