Hybridizing Effect of Palm Frond Fibre on Helmet Shell Cast from Elaeis Guineensis Male Flower Bunch Fibre Reinforced Biocomposite

Abstract

Biomass fibres obtained from agricultural wastes have found application in the production of structural reinforcement for bio-composites used for manufacturing of engineering components because of their low cost, biodegradable and eco-friendly advantages. Ademoh and Olanipekun (2014) had produced motorcycle safety helmet using a bio-composite reinforced with 20% male flower bunch stalk fibre. In this research, 20% weight of treated hybrid composite from treated oil palm male flower bunch stalk fibre and oil palm frond fibre in the ratio of 3 to 1 respectively were used in reinforcing unsaturated polyester resin to fabricate anti-crash helmet shell using hand lay-up method. The mechanical performance of the helmet shell was determined and the results obtained were compared with past literatures. From the result, hybrid composite of oil palm male flower bunch stalk fibre hybrid and oil palm frond fibre with unsaturated polyester has good mechanical attributes and can replace ABS plastic commonly used in conventional helmet productions. On comparison with immediate preceding work of Ademoh and Olanipekun (2014) the 15% male flower bunch/5% palm frond reinforced bio-composite of this study showed improvement 77.06% on modulus; 68.20% on impact strength and 13.61% on harness and reduction of 21.04% on toughness.

Keywords:  palm frond fibre, male flower bunch stalk,  fibre, polyester, helmet shell.