Abstract:
Polypropylene composites reinforced with coir fibre and yam peel particulate were produced using compression moulding
machine. Treated and untreated coir fibres were used; 1.5 M NaOH was used for the treated coir fibres. Yam peel was grouped into
two, treated and untreated; the treated was modified using 1 M solution of NaOH and HCl in the proportion of 30% and 70%,
respectively. 'e yam peel which was sun-dried for 14 days was pulverized and sieved to −45 µm. Samples were developed using
treated and untreated reinforcements (TCF/YPP and UCF/YPP) at constant coir fibre proportion (15%) and varied amount of
yam peel particulate (2, 4, 6, and 8 wt.%). 'e hybrid composite samples developed were probed for mechanical properties and
thermal and wear behaviour. 'e level of particles agglomeration at the fibre-matrix interface was examined using scanning
electron microscope. 'e results show that sample reinforced with treated 4 wt.% coir fibre and yam peel particulate had optimum
mechanical properties. However, the thermal conductivity of composite samples increased with fibre addition. All composite
samples developed had better resistance to abrasion when compared to the control sample.