Experimental Determination of Mechanical Properties and Characterization of Selected Crop Residues

Abstract

The management of huge waste generated from crop harvesting and processing has continued to create challenges and constitute an environmental nuisance. Inappropriate disposal and open-air burning of crop residues exacerbate environmental pollution, escalate bush burning and deforestation, and impact human health. Mixing, processing, and conversion of crop residues to form useful composites for various applications remain one of the economical, eco-friendly, and sustainable strategies for its management. The study constructed composites by mixing different ratios of unripe plantain peel (UPP) and coconut fibre (CCF) with an appropriate binder and hardener. The fabricated composites were subjected to mechanical, compositional, and morphological analyses. The outcomes of the tests show that the hardness, tensile strength, and impact strength only UPP is 97.8 RHN, 411 MPa, and 9 818 J/m2, respectively while the CCF/UPP composite is 98.5 RHN, 538 MPa, and 12 273 J/m2, respectively. The wear rate of UPP is 0.56 cm3/m while that of the CFF/UPP composite is as high as 0.73 cm3/m and increases with increased load. Silicon, oxygen, and aluminium are the major constituents of the composite samples as revealed by the compositional analysis. The tensile strength, hardness, impact, and wear rate of UPP can be boosted by the blending of CFF to form homogenous composites. The outcome of this study will deepen the literature and escalate research into the conversion and utilization of crop residues for diverse applications. The usage of innovative technologies and energy-efficient techniques should be adopted for the processing, modification, and conversion of crop residues.