Assessment of Particle Size on the Physico-mechanical Behavior of Waste Low-Density Polyethylene/Delonix regia Seed Composite

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Published Oct 31, 2025
https://doi.org/10.55043/jfpc.v4i2.413
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Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): Journal of Fibers and Polymer Composites

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Ayuba Bakare
Ahmadu Bello University
Nuhu Lawal
Ahmadu Bello University
Paul Mamza Andrew
Ahmadu Bello University
Ephraim Audu Akuaden
National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT)
Sulaiman Asimi
Ahmadu Bello University
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7418-2608
Emmanuel Oyekanmi Abiodun
Ahmadu Bello University
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5285-3674
Abdulmajeed Muhammad Yakubu
Ahmadu Bello University

Abstract

The excessive and widespread usage of single-use plastics has led to a growing concern over the accumulation of non-biodegradable waste in natural environments, posing a serious threat to global ecosystems. Incorporating agricultural residues into polymer composites as reinforcements presents a sustainable alternative, offering benefits such as low cost, ease of processing, reduced environmental impact, lightweight characteristics, and biodegradability. This research investigates how the particle size of Delonix regia (D.regia) seed waste influences the physico-mechanical properties of a composite made from waste low density polyethylene (wLDPE). The study found that increasing the particle size of the filler led to a gradual reduction in tensile strength, elongation at break, flexural strength, and density of the composite by 15.75 %, 75.93 %, 24.08 % and 14.08 % respectively. Conversely, larger filler particles enhanced the composite’s hardness and impact resistance by 56.16 % and 76.07 % respectively. Additionally, water absorption increased with particle size, with the highest uptake observed in composites containing the largest particles and lowest in composites containing smallest particles.

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Author Biographies

Ayuba Bakare, Ahmadu Bello University

Department of Chemistry

Nuhu Lawal, Ahmadu Bello University

Department of Polymer and Textile Engineering

Paul Mamza Andrew, Ahmadu Bello University

Department of Chemistry

Ephraim Audu Akuaden, National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT)

Inorganic and Analytical Division, Scientific and Industrial Research Department

Sulaiman Asimi, Ahmadu Bello University

Department of Chemistry

Emmanuel Oyekanmi Abiodun, Ahmadu Bello University

Department of Chemistry

Abdulmajeed Muhammad Yakubu, Ahmadu Bello University

Department of Chemistry

How to Cite
Bakare, A., Lawal, N., Andrew, P. M., Akuaden, E. A., Asimi, S., Abiodun, E. O., & Yakubu, A. M. (2025). Assessment of Particle Size on the Physico-mechanical Behavior of Waste Low-Density Polyethylene/Delonix regia Seed Composite. Journal of Fibers and Polymer Composites, 4(2), 131–144. https://doi.org/10.55043/jfpc.v4i2.413

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