Impact of Grain Size and Glass Fiber on Mechanical Properties of Reinforced Bio- Composite
Authors: *Ilori, O.O., Ojetoye, A.A., Julius, M.A., Adedeji, J.A., Iranloye, M.O., Yinka-Shoyemi, O., Abrake, M.O. And Aladetan, D.A.
DOI Info: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15778150
ABSTRACT
This study examined the effect of grain size and glass fiber on the mechanical properties of reinforced bio-composite. Bamboo and glass fiber were used for the study as the reinforcing materials, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was obtained from post-consumer plastic bottle waste. These materials were locally sourced within Adeleke University campus, Ede, Nigeria. Reinforced bio-composite material was developed through the combination of prepared bamboo, PET and glass fiber powders, with epoxy resin serving as the bonding agent. Each of the powdered bamboo, PET and glass fiber was sieved using three distinct screen grades of 250, 425, and 600 µm, respectively, in order to determine the grain size with the optimum mechanical qualities. The results revealed that grain size of 250 µm has the highest influence on the hardness, density, compression strength, tensile strength and impact strength of the reinforced bio-composite produced compared to 425 and 600 µm with and without glass fiber. Also, the addition of glass fiber improved the mechanical properties considered in the production of the bio-composite when compared with no addition of glass fiber with respect to the grain sizes. Therefore, the outcome demonstrated the significance of grain size and addition of glass fiber in achieving enhanced mechanical properties that would be suitable in automotive industries.
Affiliations: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Adeleke University, Ede, Nigeria.
Keywords: Bamboo, Bio-composite, Grain Size, Glass Fiber, Mechanical Properties, Reinforcing Material
Published date: 2025/06/30
