ARID ZONE JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY & ENVIRONMENT
AZOJETE March 2020. Vol. 16(1):37-47

Published by the Faculty of Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Print ISSN: 1596-2490, Electronic ISSN: 2545-5818

www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: hammajam92@gmail.com 37

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

THE EFFECT OF FIBER SIZES ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF MILLET HUSK
(PENNISETUM GLAUCUM) FIBER FILLED HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITES

A. A. Hammajam1,2*, I. Z. Nur2, S. M. Salit2,3, and L. Zulkeffle 2,3
(1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.

2Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor
Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.

3Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Laboratory of Biocomposite Technology
(BIOCOMPOSITE), 43400 Universiti Putra Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia)
* Corresponding author’s email address: hammajam92@gmail.com

1.0 Introduction
Agro waste and natural fiber composites are not altogether a new phenomenon. The interest in
superior material started to grow as a result of environmental safety and industrialization (Ester
Rojo et al., 2015; Patel, 2012; Sdrobiş et al., 2012). Millet husk as waste are abundantly available
and has the potential to be used as filler or reinforcement in plastic composites (Abubakar and
Ahmad, 2010; Hammajam et al., 2014). Rapid increase in quantity and categories of agro waste
as a result of rigorous agriculture in wake of population growth and improve standard of living
is becoming dwindling problem as rotten waste emits methane and leachate, and open burning
by farmers to clear lands generate carbon dioxide (CO2) and other local pollutants (El-Sabbagh,
2014; Gloria, 2001; Hamzeh et al., 2013). However, improper management of these wastes is
contributing toward the climate change, water and soil contamination, and air pollution
(Chandak, 2010). Lignocellulosic thermoplastic composites have steadily achieved significance in
most parts of the world recently (Azhar et al., 2015; Du et al., 2014; Hadjadj et al., 2016; Kumar
and Bavan, 2010; Kwon et al., 2014). While wood play key role in recent time, but composites
researchers continue to explore for new, cheaper and environmentally friendly lignocellulosic
materials as substitute for wood and inorganic fibers (Crespo et al., 2010; El-Abbassi et al., 2015).
Thus, these agro waste fibers such as millet husk, rice husk, flax straw, corn cobs, cotton husk,
sugar baggage, kenaf, wheat straw, luffa fiber, banana stalk, barley husk and hazel shell are
potentials precious raw materials in composites production.

ARTICLE INFORMATION ABSTRACT
This study examined the effect of fiber sizes on the mechanical
properties of millet husk powder (MHP) filled high density polyethylene
(HDPE) thermoplastic composites. The MHP-HDPE composites were
prepared by melt blending techniques, accompanied by compression
molding process. Three different fiber sizes; 250µm, 500µm and 750µm
were pulverized and the fiber loading was 10%, 20% 30% and 40% by
weight. Tensile and impact properties were tested using universal
testing machine (UTM). 1The results show that ensile strength increased
at certain loadings while tensile modulus increased by increasing the
millet fiber loading. While the impact strength decreases substantially
with increase fiber loading the tensile strain considerably decreased at
millet husk fiber application above 10%. Therefore, it was observed that
composites with least size fiber indicated improvement with increasing
strength as well as relative extension.

© 2020 Faculty of Engineering, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. All rights reserved.

Submitted 21 March, 2019
Revised 27 September, 2019
Accepted 03 October, 2019

Keywords:
Millet husk
Composites
Polyethylene
mechanical properties.

http://www.azojete.com.ng


Hammajam et al: The effect of fiber sizes on mechanical properties of millet husk (Pennisetum glaucum) fiber filled
high density polyethylene composites. AZOJETE,16(1):37-47. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: hammajam92@gmail.com 38

Thus, these agro waste show better future applications due to its availability, annual
renewability, light weight, low cost, and green environment component materials (Andrzej et al.,
2010; Behzad, 2011; Sahari et al., 2013). Because of the recent environmental concerns and
millet husk disposal difficulties, the use of MHP has become most important. Several studies
indicate good and compatible properties of lignocelluloses materials (Bhattacharyya et al., 2015;
Boopalan et al., 2013; El-Abbassi et al., 2015; Fan and Naughton, 2016). Other investigators have
shown the upper hand for using cereal fibers in variety of polymer matrices. In this study, an
attempt is made to utilize MHP-HDPE composites. The effects of fiber sizes on the mechanical
properties of the composite were evaluated. These properties of the composites will determine
its viability for different applications. Understanding these parameters is critical in strategizing
composites material applications. Several studies were performed on the size effect of fibers on
mechanical properties (Arib et al., 2006; Ratna Prasad and Mohana Rao, 2011; Vilay et al., 2008).
Millet husk is novel agro waste from cereal grain (pennisetum glaucum) in thermoplastic
composites applications (Hammajam A .A et al., 2014; Patel, 2012). Fiber size and loading are
critical parameters in thermoplastic composites applications due to its stress transfer function
between the fiber and polymer matrix (Panthapulakkal et al., 2005a). Polyethylene plays crucial
role in thermoplastic composites production because of it suitable characteristics such as
temperature resistance, melt flow index and density. For effective utilization of cereal agro waste
fiber filled/reinforced composites, certain parameters are paramount to be considered; strength,
stiffness, and toughness (Rowell, 1997; Sapuan, 2001). Several studies have presented on natural
fibers and their composites, however there were no attempt to characterize millet husk husk
fibers. This investigation try to evaluate the effect of millet husk fiber sizes on the mechanical
properties filled high density polyethylene composites.

2. Materials and Methods
2.1 Materials
Millet husk was collected from a farm site at Bulumkutu Kasuwa Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
Thermoplastic high density polyethylene (HDPE Titavene TITAN Petrokimia Nusantara, chemical
divison Sdn Malaysia. HD5218EA) with the properties of matrix being density of 0.960 g/cm3
and melt flow index of 8.2 g/10 min (190 °C, 2.16 kg) were used.

2.2 Fiber Pulverizations
Millet husk fibers were pulverized into different sizes; 250µm, 500µm, and 750µm using Fritsch
Pulverisette P15/P16 Pulvetic USA mill. The pulverized samples were subjected to 105°C
temperature for 24hrs in an industrial oven to remove moisture before blending with the high
density polyethylene. These pulverized parameters are shown in Table 1 while Figure 1 shows
millet husks pulverized sizes.

http://www.azojete.com.ng


Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, March, 2020; Vol. 16(1) 37-47. ISSN 1596-2490;
e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: hammajam92@gmail.com 39

250 µm pulverized fiber 500 µm pulverized fiber

750 µm pulverized fiber Unpulverized millet husk
Figure 1: Views of Millet Husks, a) 250 µm, b) 500 µm, c) 750 µm and d) unpulverized)

2.3 Composites Characterization
MHP and HDPE were compounded by melt blending techniques, followed by compression
molding process. Internal mixer (Brabender GmbH) was used in the blending process at
processing temperature of 170oC, for a period of 10 min, and rotating speed of 50rpm (EL-
Shekeil et al., 2011). Labquip scientific 40ton compression molding machine was used in hot
pressing the test specimens. 15cm × 15cm × 0.3cm steel mold was used for the compression
process. The samples were pre–heated for 3 min at 170oC. Venting time was set to 3min and
final press temperature of 170oC for 3min. Finally, the samples were cold pressed for 5min at
room temperature. MHP–HDPE composites was formed from the three sample sizes with 0%,
10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% weight of fiber loading. Thus, this formulation can be seen in Table 2.
The tensile properties were tested according to ASTM D638 (ASTM Standard D638, 2010) by
using Instron 3365 machine. Specimens for the tensile tests were specified according to type I
ASTM standard test samples. Tensile testing was carried out at 5mm/min with load cell of 5kN.
Thus, 3mm/min cross head speed for flexural tests with load cell of 5kN and span of 50mm
according to (ASTM D790, 2010). Five samples were tested each and the average was taken for
test.
The fiber-matrix dispersion analyses were carried out to understand the extent of fracture
surface when the composites were subjected to tensile testing. The fiber dispersions were
inspected using SEM. This process was examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM

a

d

b

c

file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/azojete143/www.azojete.com.ng


Hammajam et al: The effect of fiber sizes on mechanical properties of millet husk (Pennisetum glaucum) fiber filled
high density polyethylene composites. AZOJETE,16(1):37-47. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: hammajam92@gmail.com 40

model S-3400 N HITACHI, 20 kV). Samples of different fiber loadings were studied. The samples
were coated with gold before the examination under the electron beam. The scanning electron
micrographs were then used to analyze the composite filler-matrix interaction.

3. Results and Discussion
3.1 Effect of fiber size on tensile strength of MHP-HDPE composites
Figure 2 depicts the mean values of tensile strengths of different MHP‒HDPE composites with
different fiber sizes and loadings. These graphs did not follow any smooth pattern probably due
to non-homogeneous dispersion of MHP fibers in the polymer matrix. Generally, in composites,
there was a complicated interaction of the dynamics of the basic stages such as matrix, fiber and
interfacial zone between the fiber and matrix (Sapuan and Bachtiar, 2012). The increment from
10‒30% by weight of MH causes slight decreased in the tensile strength of MHP‒HDPE
composites when compare to 0% (HDPE) loading on the fiber size basis. It was observed that
composites with 30% fiber loadings have variations of tensile strength of 23MPa, 15.6MPa and
18.8MPa for 250µm, 500µm, 750µm respectively; it is slightly below 0% HDPE by 28.8% for
500µm fiber sizes. It is noteworthy that fiber size has effect on the tensile strength of
MHP‒HDPE composites similar finding in Iftekhar and Prakash, (2010).

Furthermore, the decreases in the tensile strengths are due to poor MHP‒HDPE interaction as a
result of opposing separations of the MHP fiber and HDPE matrix. Figure 2 showed an increase
in loading up to 40% has slightly increased the tensile strength of the composite for all the fiber
sizes. This could be due to better dispersion and more interface in the HDPE matrix resulting in
better bonding between MHP and HDPE. Thus, for MHP fibers with 250µm size, increased
surface area might have allowed for better filler-matrix interaction hence increasing the chances
to enhance the strength. However, in 500µm and 750µm sizes, improvements in tensile strength
were very little and, in some instance, decreased. This might be also due to decreased surface
area and ineffectiveness of MHP fibers as stress bearing centers and might, provided routes for
stress release.

Figure 2: Tensile strength of MHP‒HDPE composites at various fiber loadings and sizes

3.2 Effect of fiber size on tensile modulus of MHP-HDPE composites
Fiber size did not seem to affect the modulus but, fluctuations in the values of the modulus
were observed. These fluctuations were more for highly filled HDPE as obvious from variations
on graph in Figure 3. Non-homogeneity might be a reason for these fluctuations which became

http://www.azojete.com.ng


Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, March, 2020; Vol. 16(1) 37-47. ISSN 1596-2490;
e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: hammajam92@gmail.com 41

pronounced in cases of highly filled composites. From Figure 3, there were substantial increase
in the tensile modulus of MHP‒HDPE composites as fiber loadings increased. It was observed
that the maximum value of the tensile modulus was 1103.6GPa at 40 % loading for 750µm. But
at 30% loadings for 500µm and 750µm there were slight decrease in the tensile modulus.
From the study, it was still appropriate to argue that increasing MHP up to 40% in HDPE
increases the rigidity of MHP‒HDPE composites. It showed that the level of adhesion between
MHP‒HDPE hardly affect the tensile modulus. This is because modulus is processes that involve
so small strain values and small stress may be produced with application of little value of
elongation. The 250µm, showed somewhat longer relative elongations up to extent of MHP.
Hence, it might be possible to get greater elongations by further reducing the sizes of the fibers.
Also, from the SEM images of the fracture tensile test specimen showed the matrix separation
had been originated at the interface of large fiber size, and no separation of matrix around small
fibers. As the specimen is elongated, these would be a stress transfer from the polymer to the
MHP through the interface if interfacial bondage is good. When there is an increase in the fiber
size the void size also increases resulting in earlier failure and this might be the cause of poor
relative elongation for higher fiber size. Another possible reason is the higher surface area
provided by smaller fibers for interacting within the matrix polymer. Table 1 depict the millet
husk fiber sizes used during the investigations.

Table 1: Millet Husk fiber Powder (sizes)
Sieve mesh number Sieve diameter (µm)
20 750
40 500
60 250

Figure 3: Tensile modulus of MHP‒HDPE composites at various fiber loadings and sizes

3.3 Effect of fiber loadings and sizes on flexural strength of MHP-HDPE composites
Figures 4 show the variation in flexural strength with varying loadings of millet husk fiber of
different particle sizes. It was observed that flexural strength increased as millet husk powder
loading increased. The increase becomes more pronounced when loading went above 10%. A
maximum of about 37% increase was observed from 25.9MPa for 0% HDPE to 41.1MPa for 40%

file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/azojete143/www.azojete.com.ng


Hammajam et al: The effect of fiber sizes on mechanical properties of millet husk (Pennisetum glaucum) fiber filled
high density polyethylene composites. AZOJETE,16(1):37-47. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: hammajam92@gmail.com 42

loading of 250µm fiber size, 24.5MPa 500 µm and 32.4MPa 750µm. This could be attributed to
the contribution provided by high strength millet husk powder. Thus, flexural strength increased
with increasing fiber loading of millet husk. This again, is only possible if there is stress transfer
from matrix to fiber through a fairly strong interfacial bond. Bond cleavage leading to failure is
not obtained in bending test as the maximum strain applied is only 5%. It could be inferred that
5% strain was insufficient to cause a failure. Hence, in the case of flexural strength, interfacial
interaction between millet husk fibers and HDPE matrix had only served to transfer stress. As
observed from the graph, the flexural strength of composites with 500µm and 750µm fiber sizes
decreases at 30% and 40% fiber loadings. While the composites with fiber sizes of 250µm
increase at 40% fiber loading.

Hence it is presumed that increase in fiber loading above 40% may lead to decrease in flexural
strength for 500µm and 750µm fiber sizes and may also improve in strength for composites
with fiber sizes of 250µm as expected from this study. It was observed that fiber with smallest
size (250µm) showed better strength in 10% and 20% fiber loadings. This might be because of
increased surface area exposed for interaction. Thus, increase the strength by using further
small size of millet husk powder could be expected.

Figure 4: Effects of Fiber Loadings and Sizes on Flexural Strength of MHP-HDPE Composites

3.4 Effect of fiber loadings and sizes on flexural modulus of MHP-HDPE composites
As expected from the natural fiber composites trend, flexural modulus was found to increase
with increasing millet husk powder loading as can be observed from Figure 5. Furthermore, this
could be attributed to the contribution made by millet husk powder to impart its own property
to the composite. From Figure 5 it was revealed that initially there was around 39%
improvement in flexural modulus up to 10% millet husk powder loading for 750µm fiber sizes.
The increase in the flexural modulus became pronounced for loadings greater than 10%.
Maximum flexural modulus of about 1988GPa was achieved at 40% millet husk powder fiber
loading of 250µm fiber sizes which amounted to about 64% more than 0% HDPE. The larger
fiber size 750µm showed great increase in modulus at higher loadings, but had lower flexural
modulus at loadings below 10%. As seen on this graph, increase in fiber loading to 40%,
composites with fiber sizes of 500µm and 750µm decreases in flexural modulus. However, the
composites with fiber size 250µm increase at 40%. Thus, it is expected that with further increase
in fiber loading above 40%, it presumed increase in modulus of composites of 250 µm and
decrease in modulus of composites with 500µm and 750µm. while Table 2 show the composite
formulations of fiber and matrix.

http://www.azojete.com.ng


Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, March, 2020; Vol. 16(1) 37-47. ISSN 1596-2490;
e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: hammajam92@gmail.com 43

Figure 5: Effects of Fiber Loadings and Sizes on Flexural Modulus of MHP-HDPE Composites

Table 2: Composite Formulation

3.5 Effect of fiber size on Impact strength of MHP-HDPE composites
Figure 6 indicate MHP-HDPE composites impact rates show that increase in fiber loading causes
reduction in impact strength of the composites considerably. However, fiber size of 250µm
indicates slight improvement in impact strength compare to rest. It is probably that this
decrease is as a result of increased in fragility of the polymer matrix, because MHP fiber
concentration increased, so also plastic behavior of polymer matrix decreases. Increasing the
fiber loading in the composites implies a decrease of the thermoplastic matrix content, which
absorbed the impact energy more efficiently than the fiber. In this way, the higher the fiber
content in the composites, the less efficient they are at absorbing impact energy, and the
highest susceptibility to fracture resulting in lower rates of impact resistances. Additionally,
weak adhesion between fiber and matrix within the composites as a results voids and fiber pull
out can lead to failure as well as poor energy absorption.

It is probably that this decrease is as a result of increased in fragility of the polymer matrix,
because MHP concentration increased, so the plastic behavior of polymer matrix decreases.
Furthermore, increases in filler weaken the interaction ability which leads to reduction of filler to
transfer that as applied to a test specimen. Therefore, the investigation reveals that toughness
of MHP-PLA and MHP-HDPE composites are dependent mainly on the plastic behavior of
composites.

Figure 6: Effects of Fiber Loadings and Sizes on Impact Properties of MHP-HDPE Composites

MHP (wt %) HDPE (wt %)
10 90
20 80
30 70
40 60

file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/azojete143/www.azojete.com.ng


Hammajam et al: The effect of fiber sizes on mechanical properties of millet husk (Pennisetum glaucum) fiber filled
high density polyethylene composites. AZOJETE,16(1):37-47. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: hammajam92@gmail.com 44

3.6 Microstructures observation
SEM images of tensile fractured surface of MHP-HDPE composites were depicted in Figure 7.
The microstructure in figure (7a) revealed the formation of voids at the MHP-HDPE interfaces.
When strained these voids or fiber pull-out as seen in figure (7b) coalesce and lead to fracture
of break. The fiber pull-out advanced with MHP concentration hence decreasing the elongation
at break. From the Figure (7c), it was revealed that small size fibers did not play important role
in bringing about fracture. This fiber pull-out characteristic could make the fiber to undergo
accumulation. Hence, these lead to reduction in the tensile strength of the composites mostly at
higher fiber loadings. But at 10 % and 20 % loadings, there were better dispersion of MHP-
HDPE formation with reduced fiber pull out and breakage. This is the main reason for
improvement of tensile strength at these loadings for smaller fiber sizes.

Figure 7: SEM fractomirographs for samples with various fiber loading; (a) 10 % (250 µm), (b) 30
% (500 µm), (c) 20 % (750 µm), and (d) 40 % (750 µm)

4. Conclusions
This study reveals that increasing fiber loadings lead to decrease in the tensile strength of
composite. The plasticity of the polyethylene decrease with increase millet husk powder.
Therefore, the elongation at break decreases but the flexural strength and modulus increase as
loading increase. This shows that composites properties are brittle after the increase in fiber
loading despite the sizes. It was also observed that increasing fiber loadings lead to increase
tensile modulus of the MHP‒HDPE composites with respect to fiber sizes. As shown from SEM
microstructure, the presence voids and fiber pull out due to weak adhesion between MHP and
HDPE may result to reduction in tensile and impact strength. These problems may be enhanced
by fiber surface modifications. Therefore, it is concluded that husk powder sizes have
insignificant influence on the mechanical properties of the composites.

c d

Good adhesion poor adhesion

a

Void Fiber pullout

b

http://www.azojete.com.ng


Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, March, 2020; Vol. 16(1) 37-47. ISSN 1596-2490;
e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: hammajam92@gmail.com 45

Acknowledgement
This research was finally supported by Universiti Putra Malaysia through IPS grant No. 9463000

References
Abubakar, MS. and Ahmad, D. 2010. Pattern of energy consumption in millet production for
selected farms in Jigawa, Nigeria. Australia Journal of Applied Science, 4(4): 665-672.
Andrzej, K., Bledzki, AK., Abdullah, AM. and Jürgen, V. 2010. Barley husk and coconut shell
reinforced polypropylene composites: The effect of fibre physical, chemical and surface
properties. Composite Science and Technology, 70: 840–846.
Arib, RMN., Sapuan, SM., Ahmad, MMHM., Paridah, MT. and Zaman, HMDK. 2006. Mechanical
properties of pineapple leaf fibre reinforced polypropylene composites. Materials and Design,
27(5): 391-396.
ASTM Standard D638. 2010. Standard test method for tensile properties plastics. ASTM
International, USA.
ASTM Standard D790. 2010. Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and
Reinforced Plastis Composites ASTM International, USA.
Azhar, ABM., Risby, MS., Arif, SM., Sohaimi, MN., Hafizi, KS. and Asrul, S. 2015. Conceptual mold
design for multi-curved natural fiber reinforced composite body amor panel. Procedia of
chemistry, CIRP, 37:95-100.
Behzad, K. 2011. Preparation and characterization of lignocellulosic material filled polyethylene
composite foams. Journal of Thermoplastics, Composites and Materials, 31:1-10.
Bhattacharyya, D., Subasinghe, A., and Kim, NK. 2015. Chapter 4 - Natural fibers: Their
composites and flammability characterizations. In K. Friedrich and Breuer (Eds.), Multifunction of
Polymer Composite. Oxford: William Andrew Publishing, pp 102-143.
Boopalan, M., Niranjanaa, M. and Umapathy, MJ. 2013. Study on the mechanical properties and
thermal properties of jute and banana fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites. Composites
Part B: Engineering, 51(1): 54-57.
Chandak, SP. 2010. Waste biomass utilization. Switzland, United Nation Environment
Programme, pp.1-16.
Crespo, JE., Sánchez, L., García, D. and López, J. 2010. Study of the Mechanical and
Morphological Properties of Plasticized PVC Composites Containing Rice Husk Fillers. Journal of
Reinforced Plastic and Composite, 27: 222-229.
Du, Y., Wu, T., Yan, N., Kortschot, MT. and Farnood, R. 2014. Fabrication and characterization of
fully biodegradable natural fiber-reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites. Composite Part B:
Engineering, 56(3): 717-723.
El-Abbassi, FE., Assarar, M., Ayad, R. and Lamdouar, N. 2015. Effect of alkali treatment on Alfa
fibre as reinforcement for polypropylene based eco-composites: Mechanical behaviour and
water ageing. Composite Structure, 133: 451-457.
El-Sabbagh, A. 2014. Effect of coupling agent on natural fibre in natural fibre/polypropylene
composites on mechanical and thermal behaviour. Composite Part B: Engineering, 57:126-135.

file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/azojete143/www.azojete.com.ng


Hammajam et al: The effect of fiber sizes on mechanical properties of millet husk (Pennisetum glaucum) fiber filled
high density polyethylene composites. AZOJETE,16(1):37-47. ISSN 1596-2490; e-ISSN 2545-5818, www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: hammajam92@gmail.com 46

EL-Shekeil, YA., Salit, MS., Abdan, K. and Zainuddin, ES. 2011. Development of new kenaf bast
fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyeurathane composite. Bioresources, 6:4662-4672.
Ester, R., Virginia, AM., Mercedes, O,, Belén, DSO. and Rodriguez, F. 2015. Effect of fiber loading
on the properties of treated cellulose fiber-reinforced phenolic composites. Composite Part
B:Engineering, 68:185-192.
Fan, M., and Naughton, A. 2016. Mechanisms of thermal decomposition of natural fibre
composites. Composite Part B: Engineering, 88:1-10.
Gloria, AM. 2001. Properties of oil palm (elaeis guineensis) empty fruit bunch fibre
polypropylene composites. PhD Thesis, University Putra, Malaysia, Malaysia, 25-44.
Hadjadj, A., Jbara, O., Tara, A., Gilliot, M., Malek, F., Maafi, EM. and Tighzert, L. 2016. Effects of
cellulose fiber content on physical properties of polyurethane based composites. Composite
Structure, 135:217-223.
Hammajam, AA., Ismarrubie, ZN. and Sapuan, SM. 2014. Millet Husk Fiber Filled High Density
Polyethylene Composites and its Potential Properties. International Journal of Engineering and
Technical Research, 2(11): 248-250.
Hamzeh, Y., Ziabari, KP., Torkaman, J., Ashori, A. and Jafari, M. 2013. Study on the effects of
white rice husk ash and fibrous materials additions on some properties of fiber–cement
composites. Journal of Environmental Management, 117: 263-267.
Iftekhar, A. and Prakash, AM. 2010. Mechanical Properties of Fly Ash Filled High Density
Polyethylene. Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering, 9(3): 183-198.
Kumar, MG. and Bavan, SD. 2010. Potential use of natural fiber composite materials in India.
Journal of Reinforcement, Plastic and Composite, 29(24):3600–3613.
Kwon, HJ., Sunthornvarabhas, J., Park, JW., Lee, JH., Kim, HJ., Piyachomkwan, K. and Cho, D. 2014.
Tensile properties of kenaf fiber and corn husk flour reinforced poly(lactic acid) hybrid bio-
composites: Role of aspect ratio of natural fibers. Composite Part B: Engineering, 56(2): 232-237.
Panthapulakkal, S., Sain, M. and Law, S. 2005a. Enhancement of processability of rice husk filled
high density polyethylene composites profiles. Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials,
18: 445-459.
Patel, BM. 2012. Animal nutrition in Western India, A review of workdone from 1961-1965.
Anand, India Council of Agricultural Resources, 3:122-129.
Ratna Prasad, A. and Mohana Rao, K. 2011. Mechanical properties of natural fiber reinforced
polyester composites: Jowar, sisal and bamboo. Materials and Design, 32:4658-4663.
Rowell, RM., Sanadi, AR., Caufield, DF. and Jacobson, RE. 1997. Utilization of natural fibres in
plastic composites: Problems and Opportunities. In: Leao AL, Carvalho FX and Frollini. E (eds.)
Lignocellulosic plastic composites, Wisconsin: University of Rio de Janeiro,Brazile, Wisconsin:
University of Rio de Janeiro, 23-51.
Sahari, J., Sapuan, SM., Zainudin, ES. and Maleque, MA. 2013. Mechanical and thermal properties
of environmentally friendly composites derived from sugar palm tree. Materials and Design,
49:285-289.
Sapuan, SM. 2001. A knowledge-based system for materials selection in mechanical engineering
design. Materials and Design, 22(8): 687-695.

http://www.azojete.com.ng


Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology and Environment, March, 2020; Vol. 16(1) 37-47. ISSN 1596-2490;
e-ISSN 2545-5818; www.azojete.com.ng

Corresponding author’s e-mail address: hammajam92@gmail.com 47

Sapuan, SM. and Bachtiar, D. 2012. Mechanical Properties of Sugar Palm Fibre Reinforced High
Impact Polystyrene Composites. Proceedia Chemistry, 4(1):101-106.
Sdrobiş, AD., Raluca, NT., Marian, CG. and Vasile, C. 2012. Low density polyethylene composites
containing cellulose pulp fibers. Composite Part B: Engineering, 43(4):1873-1880.
Vilay, V., Mariatti, M. and Mat Taib, R. 2008. Effect of fiber surface treatment and fiber loading
on the properties of bagasse fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester composites. Composite
Science Technology, 68:631-638

file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/azojete143/www.azojete.com.ng