LINABUAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Linabuan Norte, Kalibo, Aklan

Philippines

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Fiber and Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata) Fiber as Raw
Material in Making a Hybrid Composite Material

Aser R. Auman
Joshua R. Gaspar
Shane Lee Z. Bacho
Researchers

June 11, 2022

Date:
 RESEARCH PLAN

Title:

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Fiber and Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata) Fiber as raw
Material in Making a Hybrid Composite Material

Researchers:

Aser R. Auman

Joshua R. Gaspar

Shane Lee Z. Bacho

1.0 Problem to be addressed

Coconut sellers dump coconut shells and husks after close of business. Coconut shell
is an agricultural waste and is available in very large quantities throughout the tropical
countries of the world (Madakson et al., 2012). Approximately 50 billion coconuts grown
worldwide, about 85% of the husks are discarded like trash, adding fuel to the fire that is
global pollution. The husk and shell, which are by-products of the coconut oil and water
industries, are typically discarded or burned (Cimons, 2014). But improper throwing away of
coconut wastes (husks and shells) result in poor sanitation, air pollution and blocked roadside
drains that facilitate the breeding of mosquitoes (Obeng et al., 2020).

The snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata), which is also known as “mother-in-law’s

tongue“ due to its characteristic of being a tough plant is a herbaceous ever green, mildly
toxic flowering plant that is native to Africa and Asia (Kerr et al., 1986). Snake plant is used
as a decorative plant that is hard to recycle. Snake plant is not recycled because it is usually
not cost effective.
 Synthetic materials which are by-products of petroleum are non-biodegradable,
synthetic products take a long time to decompose, creating long-term pollution (Fleming,
2020). Synthetic fibers depend on fossil fuel production, and they shed microplastic fibers
into the environment; these microplastics have turned up everywhere researchers have
looked, with major effects on aquatic life and human health (Cernansky, 2021).

Generally, synthetic fibers are manufactured through energy intensive processes that
produce toxic by-products. The reinforced composites made from synthetic fibers are difficult
to recycle and they are resistant to biodegradation. Besides, with increasing governmental
pressure, as well as consumer and industrial awareness of the long-term effects of
environmental pollution due to non-compostable polymeric products, this situation has led
numerous research studies around the world to show an interest in developing greener
composites by either eliminating or minimizing the usage of non-degradable synthetic
polymeric resin and fibers (Amir et al., 2019).

2.0 Rationale

The coconut (Cocos nucifera) husk is composed of 30% fiber and 70% pith, with high
lignin and phenolic content (Panyakaew and Fotios, 2011). Compared to other typical natural
fibers, coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber has higher lignin and lower cellulose and
hemicellulose, together with its high microfibrillar angle, o ffers various valuable properties,
such as resilience, strength, and damping, wear, resistance to weathering, and high elongation
at break (Al-Oqla et al., 2014). Every year the world produces at least 30 million tons of
coconut, which are abundant in coastal areas of tropical countries. Due to the high lignin
content, coconut fiber is very elastic, durable, and resistant to rotting. Coconut (Cocos
nucifera) fiber were reported best for retaining a good percentage of its original tensile
strength for all tested condition (Ramakrishna et al., 2005).

Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber obtained from the leaves of snake plant (D.
trifasciata) which has several advantages such as low cost, wide availability, high specific
strength, renew-ability and low density and can be used as reinforcement in polymer
composites. Snake plant (D. trifasciata) fiber reinforced composites are potential structural
materials, which can find various structural applications due to their good mechanical and
thermal properties (Adeniyi et al., 2019).
 The reinforcement phase of the composites made of natural fibers which are obtained
from plants such as coconut and snake plant (Adeniyi et al., 2019c; Yan et al., 2016) possess
several advantages over synthetic fiber such as low cost, easy surface modification, wide
availability and high specific strength (Rwawiire and Tomkova, 2015).

This research focuses on developing a new and alternative way to minimize the
increasing waste produced from coconut (Cocos nucifera) husks and a new recycling method
for snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber. This is to make use of materials that are
considered as a waste and are being abandoned. The main objective of this research is to
develop a recycling technology in order to produce a cost-effective product entirely out of
natural fibers. The combination of two fibers will most probably enhance the physical
properties of the product in terms of its durability and load longevity compared to non-hybrid
single fiber-reinforced composites and hence could be use in many different applications. The
new product will lessen the problem of agricultural waste to the environment as well as
reduce the use of synthetic fiber in making hybrid composite material. A cheap, economical,
as well as environment friendly material, and new recycling technology was developed to
determine the effectiveness of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena
trifasciata) fiber in making hybrid composite material.

3.0 Statement of the Problem

This study is conducted to make hybrid composite material out of coconut ( Cocos
nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber. This study concerns in
developing greener composite material by either eliminating or minimizing the usage of non-
degradable synthetic fibers in making hybrid composite material. This study will also provide
information to future researcher with regards to the use of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and
snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber as alternative materials for making hybrid composite
material.

4.0 Research Question/s:

1. Are the combination of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena
trifasciata) fiber effective in making hybrid composite material?

2. Does the amount of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
fiber affect the durability and load longevity of the hybrid composite material?
5.0 Hypotheses

5.1 Null Hypotheses:

1. The combination of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
fiber are not effective in making hybrid composite material.

2. The durability and load longevity of the hybrid composite material is not affected by the
amount of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber that
were used.

5.2 Alternative Hypotheses:

1. The combination of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
fiber are effective in making hybrid composite material.

2. The durability and load longevity of the hybrid composite material is affected by the
amount of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber that
were used.

6.0 Objective

This study will be conducted to develop a new alternative way in making hybrid
composite material and also develop a new recycling technology for fibrous waste. This study
aims to make hybrid composite material out of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake
plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber and to determine if the varying proportion of coconut
(Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber affect the durability and
load longevity of the composite material.

7.0 Procedures

7.1.0 Gathering, Collecting and Processing of Materials

All the materials to be used in this experiment will be gathered and collected. Both
coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber will be collected
within the vicinity of Linabuan Norte Kalibo, Aklan where coconuts (Cocos nucifera) and
snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) are abundant.

7.1.1 Preparation of Coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber

To separate the fibers from the coconut husks, the coconut shells will be cut in half.
Then the fibers will be removed from the husks by combing and brushing.
7.1.2 Preparation of Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber

First, the collected snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) leaves will be rinse and
chopped into small pieces and will be boiled for two (2) hours. After that, the boiled snake
plant (Dracaena trifasciata) leaves will be processed using a blender for three (3) minutes.
During the blending process, corn starch will be added.

7.2.0 Forming of Hybrid Composite Material

The coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and the blended snake plant (Dracaena trifaciata)
leaves will be mixed together and the mixture will be shaped into a rectangular sheet using an
improvised molder. The, molded mixture will be sun-dried until it dries.

7.3.0 Data Gathering

Three (3) set-ups will be made to determine the effect of the amount of the raw
materials in the properties of the composite. Set-up A will have 30% of coconut (Cocos
nucifera) fiber and 70% of snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber. Set-up B will have 50%
of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and 50% of snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber. Set-up
C will have 70% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and 30% of snake plant (Dracaena
trifasciata) fiber.

The quality of the composite material made of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and
snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber will be determined by testing its durability and load
longevity using three (3) samples in each set-up.

The durability and load longevity tests of the hybrid composite material will be
executed by measuring the weight required to tear the composite of the three (3) set-ups with
different amounts of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
fiber and determined how long it will take before the composite material tear under the stress
of the weight.

7.4.0 Data Analysis Procedure

The relationship between the amount of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake
plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber used and its durability and load longevity will be analyzed
based on the results of each set-ups. The result will be compared and reflected in the table.

7.5.0 Discussion of Results and Conclusions

 Results and conclusions will be discussed after the data analysis

Abstract

Hybrid composite materials are increasingly utilized in many engineering applications

because they offer a number of enhanced properties and various advantages over single fiber
composite material (Bouhfid et al., 2019). This composite material was fabricated by
combining two or more different types of fibers within a common matrix. Natural fibers
inherently have many advantageous properties, such as biodegradability, renewability and
their abundant availability when compared to synthetic fibers. The use of natural fibers in
making hybrid composite material reduce the use of synthetic fibers in the composite, which
makes the composite more economical, biodegradable in nature as well as eco-friendly. One
of the fibers commonly sourced to reduce the use of synthetic fibers is fiber from coconut
husk. Coconut fiber is the most well-known fibrous waste from coconut cultivation. Coconut
fiber is a natural fiber extracted from the husk of coconut. Another up-and coming fibrous
material is snake plant. Snake plants are used as decorative plants but are hard to recycle. The
present study concerns in finding a new and effective recycling method for coconut (Cocos
nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber by using a combination of both
fibers to create a hybrid composite material that can serve many purposes based on its
formulation and types of binding agent. The purpose of this study is to investigate the
effectiveness of the combination of two fibers in producing hybrid composite material as well
as to develop a greener composite material by either eliminating or minimizing the usage of
non-degradable synthetic fibers. This paper deals on the effect of coconut (Cocos nucifera)
fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber content on the durability and load longevity
of the composite material. There were three set-ups used with different amounts of coconut
(Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber to test if the amount of
materials used affect the durability and load longevity of the composite material. This study
tested the physical properties of the above mentioned eco-friendly and biodegradable
composite material and presented the best possible applications of this composite material.
1.0 Introduction

1.1. Background of the study

Due to the absence of efficient methods for safe disposal of synthetic polymers, they
often end up accumulated in the environment, posing an ever-increasing logical threat to flora
and fauna (Alshehrei, 2017). Natural fibers reveal light density, simple productivity and
recyclability. The suitable strength, lightweight, biodegradability and natural fibers such as
kenaf, sisal, jute, coconut fiber, bamboo leaf, and flax have made hybrid composites more
attractive. Natural fibers as sustainable and recyclable material has gained attention for
producing natural composite materials (Nejad et al., 2021).

Natural fibers are non-adhesive strands of materials which have been form into
structural pattern when mixed with appropriate binder as matrix to form composite (Ademoh
& Olanipekun, 2015). Natural fibers exhibit many advantageous properties which promote
the replacement of synthetic fibers in polymer composites. They are a low-density material
yielding relatively lightweight composites with high specific properties and therefore natural
fibers offer a high potential for an outstanding reinforcement in lightweight structures. These
fibers also offer significant cost advantages and therefore the utilization of lightweight, lower
cost natural fibers such as jute, flax, hemp, sisal, abaca, and coconut fiber offer the potential
to replace a large segment of the synthetic fibers in numerous applications (Suddell B.C. &
Evans W.J., 2003).

Although natural fibers are obtained from renewable sources and the polymer
composites based in them are environmentally friendly, the utilization of the raw fibers in the
preparation of the composite material have also some limitations and disadvantages. Natural
fibers have lower tensile strength compared to synthetic fiber (Mohanty et al., 2005).
Furthermore, quality variations, low thermal stability and high moisture uptake is the major
drawback of the natural fibers (Rowell et al., 1997 & Lopez et al., 2006). As a result weakens
the interfacial bonding between the polymer matrix and fiber and causes deterioration of the
mechanical properties. The high moisture sensitivity of some fiber such as lingo-
cellulosic fiber causes even the dimensional instability (Carvalho et al., 2004) and limits
the use of natural fiber as reinforcement in composite materials. One of the most common
natural fiber used in creating hybrid composite material is coconut fiber.
 Coconut (Cocos nucifera) is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals
(CRC, 2004). Coconut fiber, commonly known as coir, is obtained from the fibrous husk of
the coconut (Hutten, 2007). Coconut fiber is the most well-known fibrous waste from the
coconut cultivation. Every year the world produces at least 30 million tons of coconut, which
are abundant in coastal areas of tropical countries (Gaspar & Joshi, 2020). Durability is a
major problem in natural fiber-reinforced composites; however, since coconut fiber contains
more lignin as compared to other natural fibers, it is more durable. Due to greater elongation
at break properties, coconut fiber-reinforced composites are also stretchable up to their elastic
limit without rupturing (Adeniyi et al., 2019). Another up-and coming natural fiber which is
being aide as a potential in making hybrid composite material is snake plant fiber.

Mother-in-law’s tongue, or snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria

trifasciata), is a popular houseplant with yellow-striped leaves and tiny, pale, green, scented
flowers. Dracaena is a genus with many species (Brown, 1915). As an aggressive invasive
plant, Dracaena can grow in wide varieties of habitats (Tallei et al., 2016). It has a fairly high
economic value because it is rich in fiber which is often used as raw material for textiles
(Adeneyi et al., 2019). The white strong elastic fiber obtained from D. trifasciata is widely
used in the production of rope, clothing, fishing lines, bow-string, fine matting and cordage
because of its high specific strength and hence it can serve as a substitute to varieties of
synthetic fibers (Sathishkumar, 2016).

Hybrid composites are materials that are fabricated by combining two or more different
types of fibers within a binder (Jamir et al., 2018). It is identified that hybrid composite
material contains two or more types of fibers offer many advantageous as one type of fiber
could complement properties that are lacking in the other type fiber in the hybrid composite
material. However, it has been reported that fiber orientation, fiber content, length,
fiber/binder interface, arrangement of fiber in the binder and their intermingling capabilities
mainly affect the properties of hybrid composite material (Feng, 2019). Therefore, in order to
achieve the best performance from hybrid composite material, proper material design is
needed (John & Thomas, 2008). For instances if two fibers with different properties like
coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber are incorporated
into a polymer, the resulting hybrid composite material will most probably exhibit the
desirable properties of the respective constituents.
 The present study investigates the effectiveness of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and
snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber in making hybrid composite material and determine
if the amount of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber
that were used affect the durability and load longevity of the composite material. In addition,
this study focuses on the development and characterization of a new set of natural fiber-based
polymer composite material consisting of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant
(Dracaena trifasciata) fiber.

1.2. Objective

This study will be conducted to develop a new alternative way in making hybrid
composite material and also develop a new recycling technology for fibrous waste. This study
aims to make hybrid composite material out of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake
plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber and to determine if the varying proportion of coconut
(Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber affect the durability and
load longevity of the composite material.

1.3. Significance of the study

Primarily, this study has a great impact to the environment because the problems about
improper waste disposal is extremely increasing. Mismanagement of solid waste directly
affects and pollute the environment; this study finds a new and alternative way on how to
minimize the increasing waste produced from coconut (Cocos nucifera) husks and a new
recycling method for snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber. The development of a new
alternative material like the hybrid composite material being tested out in this study will
lessen the problem of agricultural waste and address other social and environmental issues.
One of the major impacts of this study will be on keeping the surrounding environment free
from waste/chemical pollutants for a longer time. This study can be one of the most
sustainable pathways for environment and health.

Another significance of this study will be on the development of a new alternative way
in making hybrid composite material in order to produce a cost-effective product entirely out
of natural fibers. The new product will lessen the use of synthetic fibers in making hybrid
composite material in order to achieved a greener composite material. This new product can
be used as an alternative for the commercial one in order to save money. This study will also
provide information to future researchers with regards to the use of coconut (Cocos nucifera)
fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber in different combinations or different
binders to improve the properties of the hybrid composite material so that it may find more
applications.

Figure 1 Procedural Flow Chart

Gathering, Collecting and Processing of Materials

Preparation of Coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber

Preparation of Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber

Forming of Hybrid Composite Material

Set-up A: 30% of coconut Testing of the product

Set-up B: 50% of coconut
(Cocos nucifera) fiber and 70% (Cocos nucifera) fiber and 50%
of snake plant (D. trifaciata) fiber. of snake plant (D. trifaciata) fiber.
Set-up C: 70% of coconut
Data Analysis
(Cocos nucifera) fiber and 30%
of snake plant (D. trifaciata) fiber.

2.0 Materials and Methodology

2.1. Gathering, Collecting and Processing of Materials

 (a) (b) (c)
Figure 2. Gathering and collecting of materials; (a) gathering of materials to be use (b)
collecting of coconut (C. nucifera) husk (c) collecting of snake plant (D. trifasciata) leaves.

All the materials to be used in this experiment were gathered and collected. Both
coconut (C. nucifera) fiber and snake plant (D. trifasciata) fiber were collected within the
vicinity of Linabuan Norte Kalibo, Aklan where coconuts (C. nucifera) and snake plant (D.
trifasciata) are abundant.

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Figure 3. Processing of the materials; (a) separation of fibers from coconut (C. nucifera)
hushs (b) rinsing of snake plant (D. trifasciata) leaves (c) chopping of snake plant (D.
trifasciata) leaves (d) boiling of snake plant (D. trifasciata) leaves.

To separate the fibers from the coconut husks, the coconut (C. nucifera) husks were cut
in half and then retted. The fibers were removed from the husks by combing and brushing.
The collected snake plant (D. trifasciata) leaves were rinsed and chopped into small pieces
and will be boiled for two (2) hours to soften the leaves.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 4. Processing of the materials; (a) preparation of snake plant (D. trifasciata) leaves for
blending process (b) cornstarch is added to the blended snake plant (D. trifasciata) leaves (c)
both mixtures are blend together.

The boiled snake plant (D. trifasciata) leaves were processed using a blender for three
(3) minutes. During the blending process cornstarch was added.

2.2. Forming and Testing of Hybrid Composite Material

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 5. Forming of hybrid composite material; (a) preparation of HCM (b) the HCM was
sun-dried (c) three (3) samples of each set-ups.

The coconut (C. nucifera) fiber and the blended snake plant (D. trifasciata) leaves were
mixed together and the mixture was shaped into a rectangular sheet using an improvised
molder. The molded mixtures were then sun-dried until it dries. Three (3) set-ups with three
(3) samples each were made, set-up A with 30% of coconut (C. nucifera) fiber and 70% of
snake plant (D. trifasciata) fiber, set-up B with 50% of coconut (C. nucifera) fiber and 50%
of snake plant (D. trifasciata) fiber and set-up C with 70% of coconut (C. nucifera) fiber and
30% of snake plant (D. trifasciata) fiber.
 (a) (b)

Figure 6. Testing of the hybrid composite material; (a) measuring of the needed weight (b)
durability and load longevity tests of the three (3) samples in each set-up.

The durability and load longevity tests of the hybrid composite material was executed by
measuring the weight required to tear the composite of the three (3) set-ups with different
amounts of coconut (C. nucifera) fiber and snake plant (D. trifasciata) fiber and determined
how long it will take before the composite material tear under the stress of the weight.

3.0 Results and Discussion

3.1 Results

Legend:

NT – Not Torn

ST – Slightly Torn

TABLE I.

Durability and load longevity tests of the three (3) set-ups after one (1) hour.

TIME: 1 hour

400 g Average
Numbers of weight
and samples
S1 S2 S3
Set-ups
Set-up A with 30% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) Number of ST: 0
fiber and 70% of snake plant (Dracaena NT NT NT Number of NT: 3
trifasciata) fiber.
Set-up B with 50% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) Number of ST: 0
fiber and 50% of snake plant (Dracaena NT NT NT Number of NT: 3
trifasciata) fiber.
Set-up C with 70% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) Number of ST: 0
fiber and 30% of snake plant (Dracaena NT NT NT Number of NT: 3
trifasciata) fiber.

Table 1 show the result for the durability and load longevity tests in the three set-ups of
hybrid composite material with different formulation. There were three samples used in each
set-up. The durability and load longevity of the hybrid composite material were tested by
measuring the weight require to tear the composite and determined how long will it take
before the composite material tear under the stress of the weight. Based on the table it can
analyse that all samples in each set-up was not completely torn. All Set-ups could hold 400
grams of load for one hour without causing any damages to the composite material.

TABLE II.
 Durability and load longevity tests of the three (3) set-ups after two (2) hours.

TIME: 2 hours

600 g Average
Numbers of weight
and samples
S1 S2 S3
Set-ups
Set-up A with 30% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) Number of ST: 0
fiber and 70% of snake plant (Dracaena NT NT NT Number of NT: 3
trifasciata) fiber.
Set-up B with 50% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) Number of ST: 0
fiber and 50% of snake plant (Dracaena NT NT NT Number of NT: 3
trifasciata) fiber.
Set-up C with 70% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) Number of ST: 3
fiber and 30% of snake plant (Dracaena ST ST ST Number of NT: 0
trifasciata) fiber.

Table 2 show the result for the durability and load longevity tests in the three set-ups of
hybrid composite material after adding 200 grams of load in the previous test. The result
revealed that after 200 grams of load were added in the three set-ups, set-up A and set-up B
passed the test. Based on the table it can analyze that set-up A with 30% of coconut ( Cocos
nucifera) fiber and 70% of snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber and set-up B with 50% of
coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and 50% of snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber could
hold 600 grams of load for two consecutive hours. It can be inferred that set-up C which
contains many amounts of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber could only hold 400 grams of load
for one hour.

TABLE III.
 Durability and load longevity tests of the two (2) set-ups after three (3) hours.

TIME: 3 hours

800 g Average
Numbers of weight
and samples
S1 S2 S3
Set-ups
Set-up A with 30% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) Number of ST: 0
fiber and 70% of snake plant (Dracaena NT NT NT Number of NT: 3
trifasciata) fiber.
Set-up B with 50% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) Number of ST: 3
fiber and 50% of snake plant (Dracaena ST ST ST Number of NT: 0
trifasciata) fiber.

Table 3 show the result of the durability and load longevity tests for set-up A and set-
up B of hybrid composite material after adding 200 grams of load in the previous test. The
result show that after 200 grams of load were added in the two set-ups, set-up A was not
completely torn after three hours compared to set-up B. Based on the table it can analyse that
set-up A with 30% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and 70% of snake plant (Dracaena
trifasciata) fiber could hold 800 grams of load for three consecutive hours. At the same time,
it can be analyse that set-up B which contains same amount of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber
and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber could only hold 600 kilograms of load for two
hours.
 TABLE IV.

Durability and load longevity tests of set-up A after four (4) hours.

TIME: 4 hours

1kg Average
Numbers of weight
and samples
S1 S2 S3
Set-ups
Set-up A with 30% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) Number of ST: 2
fiber and 70% of snake plant (Dracaena ST ST NT Number of NT: 1
trifasciata) fiber.

Table 4 show the result of the durability and load longevity tests for set-up A of hybrid
composite material after adding 200 grams of load in the previous test. The result show that
after 200 grams of load were added in set-up A, sample 1 and sample 2 was slightly torn but
sample 3 in this set-up remain the same. Based on the table it can analyse that set-up A which
contains more amount of snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber could only hold 800 grams
of load for three consecutive hours. It can be concluded that set-up A was the most durable
among all set-ups and has good load longevity.

3.2 Discussions

The researchers incorporated two fibers namely coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and
snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber to make a hybrid composite material and tested its
physical properties in terms of its durability and load longevity using three set-ups. Set-up A
with 30% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and 70% of snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
fiber, set-up B with 50% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and 50% of snake plant
(Dracaena trifasciata) fiber, and set-up C with 70% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and
30% of snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber with three samples each. The researchers
tested the durability and load longevity of the hybrid composite material by measuring the
weight require to tear the composite of the three set-ups and determined how long will it take
before the composite material tear under the stress of the weight. Based on the results, the
amount of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber that
were used affect the durability and load longevity of the hybrid composite material.
 The durability and load longevity of the hybrid composite material is inversely
proportional to the number of weights require to tear the composite. The lower the weight it
holds, the longer it will take before the composite to be torn, and the higher the weight it
holds the easier the composite will be damaged. The results showed that all the samples in
set-up C with 70% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and 30% of snake plant (Dracaena
trifasciata) fiber could only hold up to 200 grams of load for one hour, any exceeding amount
of weight will cause damaged to the composite in this set-up. Also, the results showed that all
the samples in set-up B with 50% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and 50% of snake plant
(Dracaena trifasciata) fiber could only hold up to 400 grams of load for two consecutive
hours, any exceeding amount of weight will also cause damaged to the composite in this set-
up. Based on the results, it can be inferred that set-up A with 30% of coconut (Cocos
nucifera) fiber and 70% of snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber is the most durable and
has good load longevity among all the set-ups because it could hold up to 600 grams of load
for three consecutive hours, any exceeding amount of weight will cause damaged to the
composite in this set-up.

4.0 Conclusion

The hybrid composite material made of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant
(Dracaena trifasciata) fiber were tested in this research. Normally both fibers are known for
its high specific strength and its organic nature/composition. From the results obtained by
conducting the durability test and load longevity test on each set-up, we found that set-up A
with 30% of coconut (Cocos nucifera) fiber and 70% of snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
fiber is the most durable and has good load longevity among all the set-ups. The durability
and load longevity of the hybrid composite material is affected by the amount of coconut
(Cocos nucifera) fiber and snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) fiber that were used, therefore
the alternative hypothesis is accepted. However, the composite shows some limitations in
load longevity, therefore the composite finds its applications in such place where minimum
load is acting like pin boards, eco bags, mattresses and other interior decorative and
insulation purposes.
5.0 Recommendations

The load longevity of this hybrid composite material is very little/low. In the future,
advanced ways of preparing this composite material using machines can be done so that all
the materials are evenly distributed and hence also increase the load longevity. This hybrid
composite material can be used as a replacement for pin boards, eco bags, mattresses, and
other interior decorative and insulation purposes. The work may be extended by analyzing the
moisture absorption, thermal resistant and other properties of hybrid composite material so
that, it may find more applications. By changing the type of binder, the application may be
extended to prepare economical, biodegradable, cheap and environment friendly composite
material for different applications.

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6.0 Acknowledgement

The researchers would like to express their deepest gratitude to their Research teachers
“Mr. Noel L. Solidum” and “Miss Ma. Soledad N. Ledesma” for their able guidance and
support in completing this research project. We would also like to extend our deep
appreciation to all our relatives, friends, teachers, parents and others who in one way or
another shared their support, either morally, financially and physically. Their contributions
are sincerely appreciated and gratefully acknowledge.

Above all, to the Great Almighty, the author of knowledge and wisdom, for his countless
love.

We thank you.