ABSTRACT

The project carried out a structural analysis of Coconut fibre reinforced Cashew nut shell resin composite in comparison with Glass fibre reinforced plastic composite. The objective of the work is to compare a test specimen made with Coconut fibre reinforced Cashew nut shell resin composite with that made with Glass fibre reinforced plastic composite. The Coconut fibre reinforced Cashew nut shell resin composite was manufactured with a 40:60 resin-fibre orientation. Both the resin and the fibre were processed at relatively low cost and the fabrication process was easy and simple. The Glass fibre reinforced plastic composite was also manufactured with a 40:60 resin fibre orientation. The mechanical properties of the Coconut fibre composite were improved through alkalization process by treating the fibre with Sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The Cashew nut shell liquid was extracted by soxhlet extraction using acetone as extraction solvent. During this period, acetone evaporates while oil remained in the flask. The cashew nut shell liquid extract was kept on the shelf for three days for decarboxylation process to occur after heating; thus facilitating decarboxylation of anacardic acid. This is the process of converting the Cashew nut shell liquid resin into cardanol. The mechanical properties of CFR-CNSR and that of GFRP was evaluated and compared viz, the tensile strength, bending strength, impact strength and the hardness strength of the Coconut and Glass fiber reinforced composite material were determined and compared as shown in Table 5.1 and Fig. 5.1 respectively. From the result analysis presented in Fig. 5.1, Coconut composite manufactured by hand lay-up process provide an opportunity of replacing existing Glass materials as it has more mechanical strength properties in most cases when compared to Glass fibre which is a synthetic fibre. Also, considering environmental friendliness and the low cost factor of CFR-CNSR when compared to GFRP during the manufacturing process of the same volume and the same fibrematrix orientation, the Coconut fibre composite is a good alternative to Glass fibre laminates. Though in terms of Energy absorption capacity, the GFRP showed a higher capacity when compared to that of CFR-CNSR. The study recommended that: the Coconut fibre must be treated with NaOH so as to enable a good matrix to fibre orientation. The Cashew nut shell liquid resin extracted must be characterized, treated and converted to cardanol before it can be used as a binder/reinforcement for any the fibre. In order to further improve the mechanical properties of any reinforcement with Coconut plant, the fibre volume fraction, fibre condition, application of 20% by resin weight of additives, fibre length must be duly considered