Fabricated Hybrid Composites with Insect-Repellent Property

Abstract An insect repellent composite containing tiger nut particulate fibre, waste low density polyethene (LDPE) and castor oil alkyd resin (COAR) was fabricated. Canarium schweinfurthii gum used as insect repellent compound and maleic anhydride as compatibilizer. The tiger nut chaff was subjected to benzoylation using benzoyl chloride to increase fibre-matrix interaction. The compound and composition thereof moulded with LDPE as dual matrices for excellent physico-mechanical properties (pressed for 5 min, 130 °C and 25 bar and cured). Least water absorption of ~0.085 %, optimal chemical resistance for both acids (HCl and H2SO4) and bases (NaOH and KOH) and no effect on thickness was observed with the 10 wt.% treated composite. Density measurement showed the lowest value of ~0.0096 g/cm3 for the treated fibre composite. However, the tensile strength, flexural stress, hardness and impact load were improved up to 35.08 Mpa, 456.3 Mpa, 95 and 730 J/m respectively with treated composites. Insect repellent test against termites and cockroaches shows repellent activity with time intervals. FTIR and SEM analysis showed fibre modification achieved.