THE EFFECT OF COW HORN AS FILLER ON THE PHYSICO- MECHANICAL PROPERTIES IN POLYMERIC MATRICES COMPOSITES

Abstract

The effects at different percentages of cow horn filler loading in polymer matrices on water absorption and
flexural strength of the composite were studied. Different percentages of filler loadings used were; 3%, 6%, 9%
12% and 15% in order to gain insight into the effect of filler content on the physical and mechanical properties.
The test of water absorption and flexural strength were carried out according to American Standard Testing
Machine (ASTM) D570 and ASTM D638 respectively. The result obtained at different percentages of cow horn
filler loading with polymer matrices composite showed that HDPE composite for water absorption test were
found to be 9% (11.14%) > 15% (3.51%) > 3% (2.67%) > 12% (2.61%) > 6% (1.78%); GPS 6% (20.00%) >
3% (14.18%) > 12% (4.26%) > 9% (1.05%) > 15% (0.67%); PP 9% (5.02%) > 12% (3.99%) > 3% (3.06%) >
6% (0.78%) > 15% (0.67%); ABS 12% (7.18%) > 15% (2.10%) > 6% (2.03%) > 3% (1.31%) > 9% (1.10%).
The result of the flexural test showed HDPE composite 12% (23.88N/mm 2 ) > 6% (17.09N/mm 2 ) > 3%
(13.70N/mm 2 ) > 15% (12.37N/mm 2 ) > 9% (8.21N/mm 2 ); GPS 6% (29.26N/mm 2 ) > 9% (16.55N/mm 2 ) > 3%
(10.89N/mm 2 ) > 15% (9.33N/mm 2 ) >12% (7.22N/mm 2 ); PP 6% (27.35N/mm 2 ) > 3% (22.37N/mm 2 ) > 9%
(19.90 N/mm 2 ) > 12% (13.72N/mm 2 ) > 15% (6.22N/mm 2 ); ABS 12% (13.29N/mm 2 ) > 9% (12.48N/mm 2 ) > 6%
(8.38N/mm 2 ) > 3% (8.11N/mm 2 ) > 15% (6.68N/mm 2 ). The control for water absorption was: HDPE; 0.00%,
GPS; 0.12%, PP; 0.13% and ABS; 0.11%. The control for flexural strength was: HDPE; 14.92N/mm 2 , GPS;
17.41N/mm 2 , PP; 24.2741N/mm 2 , ABS; 6.96N/mm 2 . The results of water absorption test showed higher amount
of water absorbed than the control under specified conditions. This was expected since natural particles fillers
are hydrophilic in nature, it tends to absorb and retain water. However, treatment with NaoH should increase in
quantity to reduce water uptake of the hydrophilic nature in cow horn, by contracting the particle filler cellulose
walls. While the flexural strength were found to be slightly higher compared to the control. The result of
fabrication of cow horn polymeric composite at different percentage loading by compression method makes the
composite useful for medium load application.