Research Article

FABRICATION OF EPOXY BASE PARTICULATE COMPOSITES FILLED WITH AFRICAN MESQUITE PODS FOR CEILING BOARD APPLICATION

Aliyu Jibril1*, Ishiaku S. U.2, Musa M. B.2, Abdulraheem Giwa3, Yusuf L O4
1 Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
2 Department of Polymer and Textile Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
3 Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
4 Department of Polymer and Textile Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
* Corresponding author: aliyujibril90@gmail.com
Published: Aug, 2025
DOI: 10.67637/njt.2025.88pkb0gq
Pages: 21-28
Views: 72
Downloads: 96

Abstract

The extensive deforestation of African mesquite trees and the significant waste produced due to their perceived economic value have spurred research into using their solid waste in construction applications. This study investigates the utilization of African mesquite waste pods as a filler in epoxy composites. Composites were prepared using hand mixing with filler particle sizes of 100 μm, 200 μm, and 300 μm, and filler loadings of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 wt%. The composites were assessed for water absorption, tensile strength, hardness, and morphological properties in accordance with ASTM standards. Results demonstrated that African mesquite pod/epoxy resin (AMP/ER) composites exhibited low water absorption with reduced filler content and particle size. Tensile strength reached a peak at 10 wt% filler loading (37.55 MPa), whilst tensile modulus increased with higher filler content but decreased with larger particle sizes, in contrast to elongation, which improved with lower filler content and smaller sizes. Hardness increased with both filler loading and particle size, achieving a maximum of 82.83 Hv at 40 wt% with 100 μm particles. SEM analysis of fractured tensile specimens revealed uniform particle distribution at lower filler content (10 wt%), whereas higher loadings displayed agglomeration and interfacial gaps, explaining the enhanced mechanical properties at lower dosages. These AMP/ER composites possess suitable properties for ceiling board production in building construction.

Keywords

Epoxy; African Mesquite Pod; Water absorption tensile hardness and SEM

References

  1. ASTM. ASTM D3878-Standard Terminology for Composite Material; ASTM international: West Conshohocken, PA, USA, 2007
  2. Behravesh, A.H., Shakouri, E., Zolfaghari, A., Golzar, M. (2010). "Theoretical and experimental on die pressure prediction in extrusion of wood-plastic composite". Journal of Composite Material. 44 (11)1293-1304. DOI: 10.1177/0021998309352703.
  3. Achukwu, E. O., Musa, H., Daniel, D., and Yusuf, S. Y. (2015b). Development of waste glass particle-reinforced unsaturated polyester composites. Nigerian Journal of Scientific Research, 14(1).
  4. Igwe, Isaac O. & Onuegbu, Genevive C. (2012). Studies on properties of egg shell and fish bone powder filled polypropylene. American Journal of Polymer Science, 2(4): 56-61.
  5. Odetoye, T. E., and Adeoye, V. A. (2022). Biocomposite production from waste low-density polyethylene sachets and Prosopis africana pods biomass residue. FUOYE Journal of Engineering and Technology, 7(2), 229–235. https://doi.org/10.46792/fuoyejet.v7i2. 761
  6. Nurazzi, N. M., Asyraf, M. R. M., Rayung, M., Norrrahim, M. N. F., Shazleen, S. S., Rani, M. S. A., Shafi, A. R., Aisyah, H. A., Radzi, M. H. M., Sabaruddin, F. A., Ilyas, R. A., Zainudin, E. S., & Abdan, K. (2021). Thermogravimetric Analysis Properties of Cellulosic natural fibre polymer compostes: A review on influence of chemical treatments. Polymers, 13(16), 2710. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym1316271 0
  7. Odetoye, T. E., and Ashaolu, O. O. (2020). Preparation and Water Absorption Properties of Parinaripolyandra Fruit Shell Reinforced Epoxy Composites. FUOYE Journal of Engineering and Technology. https://doi.org/10.46792/fuoyejet.v5i2. 532
  8. Jibril, A., Ishiaku, U. S., Bukhari, M. M., & Giwa, A. (2025). Effect of filler dosage and particle size on physical properties of epoxy composites filled with African mesquite pod particles (18th ChemClass Conference, Vols. 215–223) [ISSN: 978-978-53357-0-4]. Chemical Society of Nigeria, Zaria Chapter.
  9. Nwanonenyii, S. C., and Chike–Onyegbula, C. O. (2013). Water absorption, flammability and mechanical properties of linear low-density polyethylene/Egg shell composite. Academic Research International, 4(1), ISSN-L: 2223-9553, ISSN: 2223-9944. http://www.savap.org.pk/
  10. Zykova, A. K., Pantyukhov, P. V., Kolesnikova, N. N., Popov, A. A., and Olkhov, A. A. (2015). Influence of particle size on water absorption capacity and mechanical properties of polyethylene–wood flour composites. AIP Conference Proceedings. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4932932
  11. Umaru, H. I., Ishiaku, U. S., Yakubu, M. K., and Kogo, A. A. (2022). Effect of particle size on tensile properties and density of delonix regia seed particles filled unsaturated polyester resin composites. Science World Journal, 17(4), 1597–6343. https://www.scienceworldjournal.org
  12. Salmah, H., Romisuhani, A., and Akmal, H. (2011). Properties of low-density polyethylene/palm kernel shell composites: Effect of polyethylene co-acrylic acid. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 26(1), 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/089270571141 7028
  13. Nwanonenyii, S. C., Obidiegwu, M. U., and Onuegbu, G. C. (2013). Effects of particle sizes, filler contents and compatibilization on the properties of linear low-density polyethylene filled periwinkle shell powder. The International Journal of Engineering, 2(2), ISSN: 2319 – 1813 ISBN: 2319 – 1805.
  14. Karunakar, C., Rao, C. V. M., and Anusha, G. (2023). Mechanical and morphological properties of cellulose reinforced composites. In Advances in engineering research/Advances in Engineering Research (pp. 207–215). https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-252-1_24
  15. Kolawole, S. A., Danladi, A., Dauda, B. M., and Ishiaku, U. S. (2019). Effects of particle size on the physico-mechanical properties of epoxy filled with dates palm pits (Phoenix dactylifera) particulate composites. Direct Research Journal of Chemistry and Material Science, 6(2), DRJCMS14704441. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.33710 77
  16. Shah, S. S. M., Munirah, N. R., and Noriman, N. Z. (2020). The influences of filler loading on tensile properties and water absorption properties of carbonized sugarcane bagasse filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) composite. IOP Conference Series. Materials Science and Engineering, 932(1), 012026. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899x/932/1/012026
  17. AlMaadeed, M. A., Nógellová, Z., Mičušík, M., Novák, I., and Krupa, I. (2014). Mechanical, sorption and adhesive properties of composites based on low density polyethylene filled with date palm wood powder. Materials & Design (1980- 2015), 53, 29–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2013. 05.093
  18. Danladi, A., and Shu'aib, J. (2014). Fabrication and properties of Pineapple fibre / High density polyethylene composites. American Journal of Materials Science, 4(3), 139–143. http://article.sapub.org/pdf/10.5923.j. materials.20140403.04.pdf
  19. Hayajneh, M. T., Al-Oqla, F. M., and Al-Shrida, M. M. (2021). Hybrid green organic/inorganic filler polypropylene composites: Morphological study and mechanical performance investigations. e-Polymers, 21(1), 710–721. https://doi.org/10.1515/epoly-2021-0074
  20. Nagarajan, K., Balaji, A., Basha, K. S., Ramanujam, N., and Kumar, R. A. (2020). Effect of agro waste α-cellulosic micro filler on mechanical and thermal behavior of epoxy composites. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 152, 327–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.202 0.02.255
  21. Enis D., Stefan Ć., Tijana K., Miloš T., Aleksandra D., and Jasna D. 2018. Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Surface Modified with Imine as Fillers for Epoxy Resin. Advanced technologies 7(2) (2018) 46-53. UDC 66.017:678.686
  22. Nadia.A.A., Seenaa I.H., Mohammed K.J., and Ikram A. A. (2015). Chemistry and Materials Research Vol.7 No.4, 2015. ISSN 2224- 3224 (Print) ISSN 2225- 0956 (Online).
  23. Namdev A., Purohit R., Telang A., and Kumar A. (2023). Fabrication and Different Characterization of Graphene Nano Platelets Reinforced Epoxy Nano Composites. Arch. Metall. Mater. 68, 2, 823-832. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24425/amm.2023.14 3675.
  24. Awad, A., El-Wahab, A. A. A., El-Gamsy, R., and Abdel-Latif, M. H. (2019). A study of some thermal and mechanical properties of HDPE blend with marble and granite dust. Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 10(2), 35 3–358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asej.2018.08. 005
  25. Semaan, P., Zahran, A., Schlapp-Hackl, I., Tehrani-Bagha, A. R., & Mustapha, S. (2024). Enhanced mechanical properties of epoxy composites using cellulose micro- and nano-crystals. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.55180
  26. Atuanya, C. U., Nwaigbo, S. C., and Igbokwe, P. K. (2014b). Effects of breadfruit seed hull ash particles on microstructures and properties of recycled low-density Polyethylene/Breadfruit seed hull ash composites. Journal of Material Science & Engineering, 02(01). https://doi.org/10.4172/2169-0022.1000116
How to Cite

Jibril, A., U., I. S., B., M. M., Giwa, A., & O, Y. L. (2025). FABRICATION OF EPOXY BASE PARTICULATE COMPOSITES FILLED WITH AFRICAN MESQUITE PODS FOR CEILING BOARD APPLICATION. Nigerian Journal of Textiles, 11(1), 21-28. https://doi.org/10.67637/njt.2025.88pkb0gq

A. Jibril, I. S. U., M. M. B., A. Giwa, and Y. L. O, "FABRICATION OF EPOXY BASE PARTICULATE COMPOSITES FILLED WITH AFRICAN MESQUITE PODS FOR CEILING BOARD APPLICATION," Nigerian Journal of Textiles, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 21-28, August 2025. doi: 10.67637/njt.2025.88pkb0gq

Share this article:
Facebook X / Twitter LinkedIn
Download PDF View Full Text (PDF) Back to Articles