Production of Motorcycle Anti-crash Helmet Shell from Composite Reinforced with Male Flower Bunch Stalk Fibre of Elaeis Guineensis

Abstract

The use of natural fibres in polymer reinforcement has gained serious attention due the fact that they are biodegradable and possess qualities similar to synthetic fibres. Chemical treatments have been successfully used to improve the qualities and performance of natural fibres. This has made natural fibre reinforced polymer gain wide applications in the production of structural componentd. In this work anti-crash helmet was fabricated using the male flower bunch stalk fibre of elaeis guineensis treated with 5% concentrated sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and unsaturated polyester as binder. Hand lay-up method of casting composites was used for helmet fabrication process. Standard test samples were fabricated using same formulation and analysed for water absorption, physical and mechanical properties that included tensile strength, hardness, impact strength and modulus. The mechanical performance of treated reinforcement fibres and composite were determined and the results obtained were compared with past literature. The result showed that chemical treatment greatly improved the mechanical properties, hydrophobic and chemical stabilities of the natural fibres and made them more suitable for the application. Composites reinforced with 20% male flower bunch stalk fibre of oil palm (elaeis guineensis) gave the optimum performance in terms of tested properties of helmet. The composite formulation was also observed to have high potentials for production of related engineering components like car bumper, dash board, military and industrial safety helmets.