Quality Assessment of the Physico-Mechanical and Elemental Composition of Three Pencil Grades and Eraser Types Produced in Nigeria

The quality assessment of the physical (pH, electrical conductivity, density, writeability, eraseability), mechanical (compression test and break strength) and elemental composition of the pencil grades HB, 2B and 3B and eraser types of brand names Ben 10, Tiky 20 and the commonest White eraser in...

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Main Authors: K. I. Omoniyi, P. A. Ekwumemgbo, J. Emmanuel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Faculty of Engineering and Technology 2014-06-01
Series:Nigerian Journal of Technological Development
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journal.njtd.com.ng/index.php/njtd/article/view/51
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author K. I. Omoniyi
P. A. Ekwumemgbo
J. Emmanuel
author_facet K. I. Omoniyi
P. A. Ekwumemgbo
J. Emmanuel
author_sort K. I. Omoniyi
collection DOAJ
description The quality assessment of the physical (pH, electrical conductivity, density, writeability, eraseability), mechanical (compression test and break strength) and elemental composition of the pencil grades HB, 2B and 3B and eraser types of brand names Ben 10, Tiky 20 and the commonest White eraser in Nigerian primary school (Gummes Co. China) was carried out. The diameter of the graphite part increased in the order HB < 3B < 2B. The pH range of the pencil types was 7.0 – 7.4. 2B pencil exhibited the best writeability quality followed by 3B pencil. The compression qualities of the three pencil types were not statistically different (P < 0.01). 3B pencil is the strongest of the pencil types studied, while HB has the least break strength. Cr level by atomic absorption spectrophotometry was lowest in 3B pencil (1.541 μg/g) and highest in 2B (3.700 μg/g). Level of Pb was higher in 2B and HB (4.688 μg/g), while Cd was highest in HB (1.633 μg/g). Fast neutron activation technique indicated that Fe and Zn were elevated compared to the levels of Cr, Cd and Pb in the pencils. The pH range of the eraser brands was 6.2 – 7.3. The best eraseability quality was in Tiky 20 and the worst in Ben 10 eraser. The eraser brands contain some heavy metals in the order Pb > Cr > Cd. Though, the levels of the trace metals and essential elements detected in the school items are below the recommended limits, regulatory measures should be directed towards maintaining the standards of school items. 
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spelling doaj.art-cb97033915e34d1babdeee7ab55f580e2022-12-22T02:10:12ZengFaculty of Engineering and TechnologyNigerian Journal of Technological Development2437-21102014-06-01111Quality Assessment of the Physico-Mechanical and Elemental Composition of Three Pencil Grades and Eraser Types Produced in NigeriaK. I. Omoniyi0P. A. Ekwumemgbo1J. Emmanuel2Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. The quality assessment of the physical (pH, electrical conductivity, density, writeability, eraseability), mechanical (compression test and break strength) and elemental composition of the pencil grades HB, 2B and 3B and eraser types of brand names Ben 10, Tiky 20 and the commonest White eraser in Nigerian primary school (Gummes Co. China) was carried out. The diameter of the graphite part increased in the order HB < 3B < 2B. The pH range of the pencil types was 7.0 – 7.4. 2B pencil exhibited the best writeability quality followed by 3B pencil. The compression qualities of the three pencil types were not statistically different (P < 0.01). 3B pencil is the strongest of the pencil types studied, while HB has the least break strength. Cr level by atomic absorption spectrophotometry was lowest in 3B pencil (1.541 μg/g) and highest in 2B (3.700 μg/g). Level of Pb was higher in 2B and HB (4.688 μg/g), while Cd was highest in HB (1.633 μg/g). Fast neutron activation technique indicated that Fe and Zn were elevated compared to the levels of Cr, Cd and Pb in the pencils. The pH range of the eraser brands was 6.2 – 7.3. The best eraseability quality was in Tiky 20 and the worst in Ben 10 eraser. The eraser brands contain some heavy metals in the order Pb > Cr > Cd. Though, the levels of the trace metals and essential elements detected in the school items are below the recommended limits, regulatory measures should be directed towards maintaining the standards of school items.  https://journal.njtd.com.ng/index.php/njtd/article/view/51Quality assessmentMechanical propertiesElemental compositionPencil gradesEraser
spellingShingle K. I. Omoniyi
P. A. Ekwumemgbo
J. Emmanuel
Quality Assessment of the Physico-Mechanical and Elemental Composition of Three Pencil Grades and Eraser Types Produced in Nigeria
Nigerian Journal of Technological Development
Quality assessment
Mechanical properties
Elemental composition
Pencil grades
Eraser
title Quality Assessment of the Physico-Mechanical and Elemental Composition of Three Pencil Grades and Eraser Types Produced in Nigeria
title_full Quality Assessment of the Physico-Mechanical and Elemental Composition of Three Pencil Grades and Eraser Types Produced in Nigeria
title_fullStr Quality Assessment of the Physico-Mechanical and Elemental Composition of Three Pencil Grades and Eraser Types Produced in Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Quality Assessment of the Physico-Mechanical and Elemental Composition of Three Pencil Grades and Eraser Types Produced in Nigeria
title_short Quality Assessment of the Physico-Mechanical and Elemental Composition of Three Pencil Grades and Eraser Types Produced in Nigeria
title_sort quality assessment of the physico mechanical and elemental composition of three pencil grades and eraser types produced in nigeria
topic Quality assessment
Mechanical properties
Elemental composition
Pencil grades
Eraser
url https://journal.njtd.com.ng/index.php/njtd/article/view/51
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AT paekwumemgbo qualityassessmentofthephysicomechanicalandelementalcompositionofthreepencilgradesanderasertypesproducedinnigeria
AT jemmanuel qualityassessmentofthephysicomechanicalandelementalcompositionofthreepencilgradesanderasertypesproducedinnigeria