International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 6, Issue 10, October-2015 1118 ISSN 2229-5518 IJSER © 2015 http://www.ijser.org The Use of Cassava Leaves as a Potential Reinforcement of Polypropylene Based Composites Balogun, O. P, Sanusi, K. O, Rominiyi, A. L, Adetunji, A. R Abstract The use of cassava leave as potential reinforcement of polypropylene based composites is investigated. Cassava leaves particulates was obtained from the cassava leaves with a sieve size analysis of 106μm.The particulates were mixed with 5% MAPP and polypropylene which served as the matrix using a twin screw extruder and compounded into composites sheet using compression molding. The cassava leaves and the composites was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM).The mechanical properties was analysed using Instron tensile test, impact strength was obtained using the impact tester while the hardness of the composites was obtained using the Vickers hardness tester according to the ASTM standard of D638, 1S0 197 and ISO 868 respectively. The SEM results show an even distribution of the cassava leave in the matrix with increasing filler loading. The tensile properties, impact strength and hardness of the composites revealed an improvement in the mechanical properties of the composites with the increasing the filler loading. The mechanical properties obtained an optimum with the 7%wt filler loading hardness for the all the composites as compared with the unreinforced composites. Keywords: Extrusion, polypropylene, cassava leave powder, SEM, mechanical properties ——————————  —————————— 1 INTRODUCTION Over years, polymer composites have been prepared and combined with various types of natural reinforcing fillers in order to improve the mechanical properties and obtain the characteristics demanded in actual applications [1]. The use of natural filler as potential reinforcement of the composites in Engineering application has continue received a lot of attention among researcher and industrial sectors [2]. Natural filler have been found to have significant advantages over synthetic filler and fibres such as light-weight, low cost, ability to reduce abrasion of machinery, renewable and biodegradable. They are also abundantly available as a waste from agricultural products and the provided economic and environmental benefits for various applications in the sporting goods, modern board, bicycle frame, packaging, building, furniture and automotive industries by Rattana et al. [3]. Presently, a lot of work has been done by researchers on the use of natural fillers including flax, hemp, wood, wheat, barley, and coconut fruit crust, sugar cane bagasse as potential reinforcement of composites [4]. They are now fast evolving as potential alternatives to inorganic or synthetic materials for various applications as building materials and automotive components [5], [6]. One of the natural filler with great potentials is a processed cassava leaf which has continued to attract the interest of researchers in the areas of surface treatment of steel. Steel attracted interest of researcher due to the high percentage of carbon and nitrogen that present in the composition of materials. Most of the research works on surface modification of engineering components using cassava leaves powders. Adetunji et al. [7] worked on Use of Cyanide Solution from Cassava for the Extraction of Gold. Akinluwade et al. [8] investigated on Light and Electron Microscopy Studies of the Visible Diffusion Zone of Mild Steel Pack Cyanided in Processed Cassava Leaves. Arthur [9] investigated Abrasive Wear Studies of Pack Cyanided Mild Steel (PCMS) whereas the Development of an Environmentally Friendly in-situ Pack- Cyaniding Technique has been studied by Akinluwade et al. [10]. Based on the previous works, no research has been focused on processed cassava leaves as reinforcement in polymer matrix composites. If one is to consider processed cassava leaves as potential polymer filler, it is important to know about its composition because, apart from containing cellulose and hemicelluloses, it also contains a high amount of carbon and nitrogen, a natural polymer that has a high polarity due to the presence of large amounts of hydroxyls in its macromolecules, which interact with lignocellulosic fibres, resulting in improved mechanical properties [11]. The use of polypropylene as a matrix polymer in composites has been studied extensively due to their excellent mechanical, physical and thermal properties [12], [13]. Processed cassava leaves is ———————————————— • Balogun, O. P, is a Researcher at Prototype Engineering Development Institute (PEDI), Ilesha, Nigeria and currently pursuing PhD degree program in metallurgical and materials engineering in Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria, E-mail: yomdass@yahoo.com • Sanusi, K. O, is a Researcher at Prototype Engineering Development Institute (PEDI), Ilesha, Nigeria and currently pursuing M.Sc degree program in metallurgical and materials engineering in Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria, E-mail: kazeemsanusi83@gmail.com • Rominiyi, A. L, is a Researcher at Prototype Engineering Development Institute (PEDI), Ilesha, Nigeria and currently pursuing M.Sc degree program in materials engineering in Obafemi Awolowo University Ile- Ife, Nigeria, E-mail: rominiyipedi@gmail.com • Adetunji, A. R, is a Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer at Prototype Engineering Development Institute (PEDI), Ilesha, Nigeria, E-mail: aderade2004@yahoo.com IJSER