Title Page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgements v
Abstract vi
Table of Contents vii
List of Figures xi
List of Tables xiv
List of Plates xvii
List of Appendices xix
Nomenclature xx

Chapter ONE

1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Background of the study 1
1.2 Problem Statement 2
1.3 The Present work 3
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the work 3
1.5 Scope of the study 4
1.6 Significance of the study 4

Chapter TWO

2.0 Literature Review 5
2.1 Introduction 5
2.2 Composite Materials 5
2.3 Types of Composite Materials 7
2.4 Properties of Composite Materials 8
2.4.1 Strength 8
2.4.2 Hardness 8
2.4.3 Stiffness 9
2.4.4 Toughness 9
viii
2.5 Classification of Composite Materials 9
2.5.1 Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs) 9
2.5.1.1 Types of Polymer Reinforcement 10
2.5.2 Polymer Matrix Composite Materials 12
2.5.2.1 Properties of Polymer Matrix Materials 13
2.5.3 Metal Matrix Composites 13
2.5.4 Ceramic Matrix Composites 13
2.6 Natural Reinforcement Materials 13
2.7 Classification of Natural Fibers 14
2.7.1 Animal Fibers 15
2.7.2 Mineral Fibers 16
2.7.3 Plant Fibers 16
2.8 Applications of Natural Filler Composites 17
2.9 Advantages of Natural Filler Composites 18
2.10 Review of Past Works 19

Chapter THREE

3.0 Materials and Methods 22
3.1 Introduction 22
3.2 Materials 22
3.3 Equipment 22
3.4 Methods 23
3.4.1 Preparation of Recycled High Density Polyethylene 23
3.4.2 Preparation of Palm Kernel Fiber 23
3.4.3 Preparation of Locust Bean Husk Fiber 23
3.4.4 Preparation of Sheep Wool/Goat Fur 24
3.4.5 Sample Preparation 25
3.5 Determination of Density 25
3.6 Thickness Swelling and Water Absorption 25
3.7 Tensile Test 26
3.8 Static Bending Test 26
3.9 Impact Energy Test 27
3.10 Hardness Test 27
3.11 Wear Test 27
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3.12 Thermal Properties 28
3.14 X-Ray Fluorescent Spectrometry 29
3.15 Micro-structural Analysis 29

Chapter FOUR

4.0 Results and Discussions 30
4.1 Results 30
4.1.1 Density 30
4.1.2 Water absorption 32
4.1.3 Thickness Swelling 34
4.1.4 Tensile Strength 36
4.1.5 Flexural Strength 38
4.1.6 Impact Strength 40
4.1.7 Hardness 42
4.1.8 Wear Rate 44
4.1.9 Thermal Properties 46
4.1.10 Scanning Electron Microstructures 48
4.2 Discussion of Results 55
4.2.1 Physical Properties 55
4.2.1.1 Density 55
4.2.1.2 Water Absorption and Thickness Swelling 55
4.2.2 Mechanical Properties 55
4.2.2.1 Tensile Strength 55
4.2.2.2 Flexural Strength 56
4.2.2.3 Impact Strength 57
4.2.2.4 Hardness 57
4.2.2.5 Wear 57
4.2.3 Thermal Analysis 58
4.2.4 X-Ray Fluorescent Analysis 59
4.2.5 Micro-structural Analysis 59
x

Chapter FIVE

5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations 60
5.1 Conclusions 60
5.2 Recommendations 61
5.3 Contributions to knowledge 61
REFERENCES 63