Studies on Some Mechanical Properties of PVC-Wood Fiber Composite

Abstract

In this study some mechanical properties of PVC-Wood fibre composite were investigated. The wood fibre was gotten from a mahogany tree. The sample was moulded and shaped at a temperature of 150oC using a hadraulic hot press and pressure of 3bar for 5mins and the mechanical properties were studied base on varying the wood fibre contents from 0% to 50%. The hardness test carried out using the durometer hardness tester show a decrease in the hardness of the composite as the wood fibre is varied from 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% 40% and 50% and the impact strength of the composite decreases as well in that order. The tensile strength conducted using the Mensato Tensometer show a decrease at 10% wood fibre, while an increase in the wood fibre to 20% show an increase in the tensile strength on further addition of the wood fibre a decrease is noticed. This decrease in tensile strength decreases the strain of the PVC-wood fibre composite and hence increasing the modulus of elasticity of the PVC-wood fibre composite as the wood fibre is been added.