Manufacture of a barkcloth reinforced biocomposite.

Abstract

In the latest years industry is attempting to decrease the dependence on petroleum based fuels and products due to the increased environmental consciousness. This is leading to the need to investigate environmentally friendly, sustainable materials with more sustainable methods of manufacture and reduced energy consumption supporting a desire for lighter-weight structures to replace existing ones (Paul A Fowler et.al, 2006). The industry has therefore resorted. to the use of natural fibers to replace unsustainable glass fibres and other synthetics in composites producing what are commonly referred to as bio-composites for both technical and nontechnical applications. Bio-composites are composite materials comprising one or more phase(s) derived from a biological origin, in terms of the reinforcement, this could include plant fibres such as cotton; flax, hemp and the like, or fibers from recycled wood or waste paper, or even by-products from food crops. Regenerated cellulose fibers (viscose/rayon) are also included in this definition (Paul A Fowler et.al,2006). Backcloth a unique non-woven textile made from the naturally re-growing bark of ficus natalensis fig-tree that is native to. Uganda) can potentially be used in the production of bio- composites, its use in the country has always been limited to cultural ceremonies, wrapping of the dead and other traditional practices which have made it unpopular. The use the cloth in bio-composites will give a hand to UNESCO's effort to revitalize bark cloth making. This cloth is said to have originated from South China entering East Africa via Madagascar (Rod Ewins,1987). Bio-composites are commonly manufactured using techniques including hot pressing, hand laminating, resin techniques; compression moulding of all the techniques hand laminating is the cheapest, very flexible, requires little expertise and easy to use thus practically feasible in developing countries. Furthermore, this technique is very suitable for the production of natural fiber reinforced composites. In this research, the backcloth/epoxy composite manufactured was tested for flexure and tensile properties. The composite exhibited very promising mechanical properties with an average tensile strength of 17.045Mpa which calls for more research into its use in car dashboards dash kits and furnishings. The obtained flexure strength was 34.93N/mm2 portraying a relatively low ability to bear compressional loads.