Browsing by Author "Nkiwane, L."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Analysis of the properties of a glass/sisal/polyester composite
    (Springer Nature, 2021-01-11) Baloyi, R.B.; Ncube, S.; Moyo, M.; Nkiwane, L.; Dzingai, P.
    Composites are gradually becoming an integral material for structural and manufacturing processes. Sisal fibre has the potential to be one of the leading reinforcement natural fibres, not only in Zimbabwe, but the world over for use in glass composites. This is mainly due to it being inexpensive, exhibiting a low density, high specifc strength, a high stiffness to weight ratio, non-toxicity, its abundance in Zimbabwe and its renewability. With an aim of coming up with a composite for partition board applications in the construction industry, five samples of sisal-glass composite were prepared with varying sisal fibre content and diferent layering techniques. Sisal fbres were pre-treated with 20% NaOH to enhance their crosslinking with the resin and reduce the chemical impurities such as lignin and waxes. Mechanical (fexural test, hardness, and tensile strength) and physical tests (density and water absorption) were conducted to analyse the properties of the composite. The results showed that treated sisal fibres had a higher breaking tenacity of 33.11 g/tex which is higher than untreated fibres with a breaking tenacity of 25.72 g/tex. The best properties were obtained in the sample with 4 layers of glass and 9 layers of sisal fibres using 200 ml of resin. The composite had a tensile strength of 57.60 MPa, fexural strength of 36 N/mm2, moisture absorption of 10% and a burning rate of 9.82 mm/ min. These results were then compared with those of the current partition boards in the market. It was noted that the composite was suitable for use in partition boards. Again, regarding cost, these composites are cheaper to produce at a rate of $11.33/m2 compared to the timber costing at $16/m2.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Development of a low cost re-usable microfibre sanitary pad.
    (Science and Engineering Publishing Company, 2014-07-04) Chakwana, C.; Nkiwane, L.
    Menstrual hygiene management is a big problem for women and girls in Zimbabwe as the sanitary pads are expensive. An average pack of 8-10 at $ US1. 50 is significantly expensive for females coming from low income families, which has caused women and girls to resort to unhealthy ways such as using grass and cow dung for managing their menstruation, which exposes them to infections. The aim was to develop a low-cost re-usable microfibre sanitary pad with good performance properties and low cost maintenance, affordable to poor women. The design was based on the Johnson and Johnson re-usable (a rectangular shape) sanitary pads. The new re-usable pad was developed from polyester microfibre materials. It has a pocket for an insert of another material that will enhance the collection of blood. The developed pad was tested for wicking, leakage and strike through properties. The newly developed pad exhibited better properties and yet cheaper than the commercial disposable pads.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Performance characteristics of local and imported sanitary pads.
    (Zimbabwe Journal of Science & Technology, 2014) Nyoni, A.B.; Nkiwane, L.; Gonde, P.; Sibanda, P.
    A comparative study of Zimbabwean manufactured and imported sanitary pads was carried out in order to elucidate the performance characteristics that make them popular with the majority of women. Five different types of the most popular imported and locally made sanitary pads that were determined by a preliminary questionnaire survey were selected and their performance characteristics, that is, absorbency, liquid retention and strike through properties determined. The results show that imported sanitary pads are preferred by Zimbabwean women (47%) due to their performance characteristics such as comfort, odour control, size, absorption, sticking of adhesive, packaging and protection of strike through. Women using local products account for 39% of the sample population and those using both imported and local products 14% and a significant number of women in rural areas (72%) are still using alternative methods due to the prohibitive costs of modern methods of sanitary protection.