Effect of Cow Bone Ash Particle Size Distribution on the Mechanical Properties of Cow Bone Ash-Reinforced Polyester Composites

Abstract

This research work was carried out to study the influence of cow bone ash particles in polyester matrix composites in order to improve the properties of polyester matrix and to provide alternative use of cow bone which constitute a challenge to the environment especially in developing countries. Cow bone was sourced from an abattoir, washed, sun dried for 4week and then carbonized. The bone ashes were further pulverized using the ball mill. Sieve analysis was carried out on the pulverized bone ash particles into particle sizes of 75?m, 106?m and 300?m. Composite materials were developed by casting into tensile, hardness and flexural tests samples using pre-determined proportions of 2, 4, 6, and 8 wt % of the cow bone ash. The samples after curing were striped from the moulds and were allowed to further cure at room temperature for 3 weeks before tensile, hardness and flexural tests were performed on them.  The results shows that use of cow bone ash particles of 75,106 and 300 ????m led to the enhancement of the mechanical properties of polyester matrix.  The tensile result shows that sample reinforced with 4% of particle size 300µm gave the highest value of UTS, sample with 8% of particle size 300µm bone ash has the highest value of tensile modulus. Flexural strength were highly enhanced with 8% of particle size 75µm has the highest value of bending strength, this shows that fine particles lead to improved strength. The best result for hardness was obtained from 6wt% 106????m cow bone ash-reinforced sample with a value of 87.8HV compared to the unreinforced polyester matrix with a value of 81HV.

Keywords: polyester, composites, mechanical properties, cow bone ash.