Effects of Animal Hair Fibre on Polyester Resin

Abstract

The effect of animal hair fibre on polyester resin was examined. The animal hair fibre was obtained from the Hausa – specie she-goat from Abattoir in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. The animal hair was washed and dried at 39^oC for 3 hours at constant weight. The percentages by weight of animal hair sample used were 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% (w/w). The percentage by weight of the hair fibre was cast into the polyester resin, cured with accelerator and catalyst, stirred and cast into the dumbbell shaped and Teflon mould. The composite cured in the mould at a room temperature for 24 hours after which it was heat treated in the oven at 80^oC for one hour for dimensional stability of the composite. From the results, the tensile strength of the composite increased from 3% (16.6698MPa) – 9% (29.3033MPa) with a sharp decrease in 12% (20.4288MPa) volume ratio. The tensile strength of the control sample 0% (30.0991MPa) was higher than the reinforced composites. The Modulus of the composite increased from 3% (541.2377MPa) – 9% (598.1224MPa) with a sharp decrease in 12% (530.1571MPa) volume ratio. The control sample 0% has higher modulus (649.4003MPa) than the reinforced composites. The load at break of the sample increase gradually as fibre loading increases from 3% (709.1161 MPa) to 9% (1084.2570MPa) after which there was a decrease as fibre volume increase to 12% (893.0747MPa). Flexural strength peaked at 6% fibre load (83.1131MPa) while there was variation in the results of flexural modulus with 9% fiber load having the highest value (2329.6509 MPa). The control sample has the value of (75.2204 MPa) for flexural strength and (2231.6092 MPa) for flexural modulus. The hardness result of the sample decreased from 0% (22.0667HV) - 6% (17.6667HV) volume ratio but increased as the fibre load increased from 9% (23.1667HV) – 12% (25.7333HV).

Keywords: Animal hair, Polyester resin, Composite, Fibre.