Physical-Chemical and Mechanical Characterization of the Bast Fibers of <i>Triumfetta cordifolia</i>A.Rich. from the Equatorial Region of Cameroon

The project consists in the implementation of a biocomposite based on tannin resin and natural rubber matrices with the bast fibres of Triumfetta cordifolia A.Rich.“Okong” from the equatorial region of Cameroon as reinforcement. A study of this still little known fibre is necessary. This paper evaluates the physico-chemical and mechanical characteristics of the fibers. The fibers are extracted by us. A series of experiments is conducted for this purpose: morphological observation with a scanning electron microscope (SEM);density evaluation with a helium pycnometer;absorption rate evaluation according to the protocol available in the literature, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FT-IR), chemical composition evaluation according to ASTM 1972 and ASTM 1977 standards, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and tensile tests on fiber bundles according to NF T25-501-3. The results show that the fiber is made up of several elementary fibers with oval cross-sections. A density of 1.477g/cm3 close to that of hemp. These fibers have a water absorption rate of 342.5%, which correlates with the presence of free hydroxyl functional groups obtained from the spectrometry study (FT-IR). Chemical analysis reveals that the fiber is made up of celluloses (44.4%), hemicelluloses (30.8%), lignins (18.9%), pectins (3.3%), waxes (0.5%) and minerals (2.1%). In addition, we learn that the fibers studied dehydrate at 11.49%, showinga notable thermal stability around 235°C with a peak thermal decomposition of cellulose located at 420°C. In terms of mechanical behaviour, the results reveal that the fibers offer a Young’s modulus in traction of 12.4 ± 6.9 GPa, a tensile strength of 526 ± 128 MPa and an elongation at break of 2.25%. The information thus obtained makes it possible to place these fibers in the same fiber group as flax and jute. They could therefore be used for the same types of applications. They also inform us that these fibers can withstand the temperatures of composite shaping by thermocompression.

Hybrid Composite Based on Natural Rubber Reinforced with Short Fibers of the Triumfetta cordifolia/Saccharum officinarum L.: Performance Evaluation

This article contributes to the development of the new class of fully biodegradable “green” composites by combining fibers (natural/bio) with biodegradable resin. The vegetable fibers (Triumfetta cordifolia and sugarcane bagasse) treated with NaOH and bleached were incorporated into a natural rubber matrix. The influence of the fiber ratio on the physical properties, tensile strength and surface hardness of the hybrid composites was analyzed. The results show that the addition of fibers in the natural rubber matrix increases the water absorption capacity but gradually reduces it with increasing fiber ratio. The hybrid composites of the NRT50-50B proportions show the best tensile strengths at 20 phr and a shore A hardness of 43.7 at 30 phr. The combination of two fibers has improved the physical and mechanical properties of the hybrid composites which can be used in engineering applications.

An In-Depth Analysis of the Causes of Road Accidents in Developing Countries: Case Study of Douala-Dschang Highway in Cameroon

This paper is aimed at identifying the risk factors that mainly contribute to reckless driving and other related causes of road accidents along the Douala-Dschang highway of Cameroon. The research work started with the collection of accident reports for 2018 and 2019 from security officials in charge of road safety and the police stations of the different localities included in the sample of the study. Three hundred and eighty-two (382) road accidents reports were collected and analyzed using the 2020 version logit regression model of XLSTAT. From these analyses, it appears that, of the 382 accidents recorded during this period, six factors were identified and classified as follows: causes of accidents related to speed and carelessness, location of the accident, type of vehicle at fault, day the accident occurred, time of the accident and the age of drivers involved. These results could contribute to reduce the gravity of accidents along the Douala-Dschang highway and develop other policies in the program for road safety. In addition, this study can as much as possible equally contribute to reorienting road construction trends and development techniques in our environment.

Implementation and Evaluation of Certain Properties of a Polymer Matrix Composite Material Reinforced by Fibrous Residues of <i>Saccharum officinarum</i>in View of an Applicability Orientation

This study examines the implementation and characterization of a polymer matrix composite material reinforced by sugarcane residues. The aim of the study is to enhance the abundantly produced sugarcane bagasse in the form of residues in the processing plants of said sugar cane. The composite material developed takes into account the size parameters and mass load rate of the reinforcement, the variations of which are between 2.5 mm and 4 mm respectively for the first parameter and 10% to 25% for the second. The load on the test tube during the test has a random orientation. The composite is polyester matrix. The cold compression moulding technique was used in the production of the various samples. Physical properties such as the rate of water absorption and the density of the composite are assessed. The three-point bending tests are carried out with the aim of inducing Young’s modulus from the elaborate samples. Analysis of physical properties shows that water absorption increases with the rate of residue load. The average water absorption rate of bagasse fibres is estimated at 8% for the 2.5 mm fiber size and 12% for the 4 mm fiber size for all composites. Mechanical characterization by bending tests reveals a fragile behavior of the samples tested. Young’s modulus decreases when the load rate of fibrous residues increases regardless of the size of the fibers.

Study of the Relative Variations of the Thermal Properties and Crystallinity of Blends (PP/EPR)/Calcium Carbonate

The objective of this paper is to investigate the relative variations of the constants of the thermal properties and the degree of crystallinity of the mixtures (PP/EPR)/Calcium carbonates elaborated with the Micro Bivis. We have strengthened the basic copolymer PP/EPR of a low level (5%) by three calcium carbonates models socal312, socal322v, Winnofil spm. We then subjected the different mixtures obtained, two cycles of a thermal loading under differential scanning calorimetry DSC. We finally focused on the thermal properties of isotactic polypropylene (TfP, TcP, ΔHfP, ΔHcP) and we calculated the degree of crystallinity of the mixtures. Reducing the energy cost of implementing mixtures is one of the objectives of this work. We quantified the relative variations of the above properties with those of the base copolymer. It shows that at a low loading rate of calcium carbonate, there is a decrease in the enthalpies of crystallization during the second exothermic cycle, with values that can reach 5.53 J/gPP for the basic copolymer PP/EPR. During the second endothermic cycle, there is an overall increase in isotactic polypropylene melting temperature values for all the blends as well as for the basic copolymer PP/EPR. There is evidence that calcium carbonates are useful for lowering the melting energy of isotactic polypropylene, even at a low loading rate for the majority. The number of endothermic cycles accentuates this phenomenon which is linked to the presence in our composites, of a so-called confined amorphous phase.

State of Knowledge on Starch as an Alternative Solution to Petrochemical Resources—A Review

The use of plastics from petrochemical resources poses environmental impacts, and one of the alternative solutions is the use of starch. The objective of this present work has been to present the literature on starch, and to highlight the debate in the development of composite films. The approach adopted was to present the state of the art on starch and thermoplastic starch matrix composites. The work shows that starch is available worldwide and can be used in the manufacture of biodegradable plastics;the debate remains on the reinforcement of thermoplastic starch to improve its physical and mechanical properties poor;then researchers must diversify the reinforcements to see the impact on the properties of thermoplastic starch.