Comparative Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Coconut Coir Fibre and Synthetic Fibre Reinforced Plaster of Paris (POP) Based Composites for Celling Applications

Abstract

Coconut coir fibre and synthetic string fibre were used as reinforcements in plaster of Paris (POP) for ceiling application in this research. Coconut coir fibre, being fairly strong and stiff as well as cheap and plentiful with low energy demand during manufacture was used alongside synthetic fibre in view that both can serve as material for ceiling board. The fibres, whose mass fraction were the variables in this work, were cut down into smaller sizes and mixed with cement and water. The resulting slurry was then poured into rectangular moulds and allowed to cure. Flexural, Impact and Hardness tests were carried out on the various samples. From the analysis of results for the mechanical properties of coconut coir and synthetic fibres reinforced POP based composites, it was discovered that both Coconut coir and synthetic fibre show promising performances with respect to the properties considered.