The Effects of Ukam (Cochlospermum Planchonii) Plant Fiber Variation on the Properties of Polyester Matrix Fiber Reinforced Composite

The work titled ‘The Effects of Ukam (Cochlospermum Planchonii) Plant Fiber Variation on the Properties of Polyester Matrix Fiber Reinforced Composite has been undertaken. The work delved into the production of the composites, this was accomplished by the separate activities of fiber production, mould production and matrix preparation. The fiber was from cochlospermum planchonii (Ukam) plant and the matrix was from polyester. Samples of the produced composites were used in preparing standard test specimens, which were subjected to various tests in order to characterize the composite. In all the properties tested, it was observed that Ukam fiber content had a major role in determining the properties of the composite. The variation of the fiber weight fraction affected all the tested properties of the composite. The results showed that to produce a polyester composite with optimized properties using Ukam fiber, which is biodegradable, the fiber content should be 40%.