Abstract

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The present study determined the effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment on the properties of baobab pod/sisal fibres reinforced low-density polyethylene (LDPE) hybrid composites. Used to treatment the fibres, were different concentrations of NaOH 2 -10 wt% at 2 wt% interval. The hybrid composites were compounded using two roll mills machine and compressed in a mold using hydraulic press at a pressure of 10 kN and temperature of 120 oC. The fibre content of the hybrid composites was 10 wt% with baobab and sisal fibre ratio of 1:1. Tensile, impact, hardness, water absorption and morphological analysis were conducted on the produced hybrid composites. The mechanical properties of the hybrid composite increased with increase NaOH concentration up to 6 wt%, while the water absorption decreased with increase in concentration of NaOH solution. The morphology revealed that surface cracks and voids were more in hybrid composites produced with untreated and fibres treated at higher concentrations of NaOH.

Keywords: Mechanical Properties, Baobab, Sisal, Polyethylene, Hybrid Composite, Sodium hydroxide.