Empirical models for estimating properties of developed composite material from agro waste.

Study was carried out to develop empirical models for estimating the properties of developed composite material from agro waste (sawdust and palm kernel shell). The properties of the produced composite materials from agro waste obtained in previous experimental investigation were used to determine empirical model for hardness, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, modulus of elasticity; modulus of rupture, internal bond strength, density, thickness swelling and water absorption. The values obtained from the empirical models were found to compare favorably with the experimental values. The mean percentage error were determined to be -0.02167% (hardness), -0.462167 % (yield strength), -0.03625 (ultimate tensile strength), -0.01045% (modulus of elasticity), -0.044057% (modulus of rupture), 0.001033% (internal bond strength), 0.2153 % (density), 0.5277% (thickness swelling) and 0.1365% (water absorption). These values were insignificant and below the maximum recommended error of 10%. These model performances were therefore found to be satisfactory and show good predictability.