EFFECT OF GUINEA CORN HUSK ASH ON THEMECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND WEARBEHAVIOUR OF EPOXY MATRIXCOMPOSITES

The utilization of polymeric materials for certain engineering applications have been limited due to their mechanical properties observed to be time, rate and temperature dependent. However, with the recent development in technology, there has been a demand for advanced materials of which polymer matrix composites are potential candidates. This has geared up the interest in development of reinforced polymeric materials. Inorganic particulate reinforced polymers has shown significant improvements in mechanical properties but their limitation lies their high cost and availability. Hence, a need to develop polymer composite using readily available organic particulates. The research work studies the influence of guinea corn husk ash (GCHA) particulate on the mechanical and wear properties of epoxy matrix composites. The GCHA was produced by burning guinea corn husk in an enclosed cylindrical chamber and conditioning it at a temperature of 650 oC for 3 h in order to reduce its carbonaceous constituents. The conditioned GCHA was sieved to 150 μm passing. The compositional analysis of the sieved GCHA carried out using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, revealed that it is silica dominated with other trace compounds. The epoxy matrix composites were reinforced by incorporating 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 wt. % of GCHA. After curing, the composites produced were subjected to tensile, flexural, impact and wear tests. There was an appreciable improvements in the mechanical properties of the GCHA reinforced epoxy matrix composites developed while the wear property appears to suffer. However, the study has shown that GCHA is a promising reinforcement for polymeric composites. Key words: Guinea corn husk ash, organic particulate, epoxy resin, agglomerates and interfacial bonding

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