Effect of alkali treated groundnut shell powder in the basalt fiber reinforced polyethylene hybrid composites: A sustainable approach towards green composites

Abstract

AbstractWith the widespread use of natural polymers in composites, advances in mechanical, thermal, and thermomechanical characteristics have become necessary. This study explores, the hybridizing effect of alkali‐treated groundnut shell powder (T‐GSP) to the basalt fiber (BF) reinforced linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) composites in different weight fractions. Twin screw extrusion machines were used to mix fresh LLDPE matrix with various weight fractions of T‐GSP particles (0, 5, 10, and 15 wt%) and 20 wt% of fresh BF. It has been found to be that adding up to 15 wt% of T‐GSP with 20 wt% of fresh basalt fibers in the LLDPE matrix produced better results in the mechanical, thermal, and thermomechanical properties of the hybrid composites. FE‐SEM analysis was performed on the tensile fracture surfaces of the hybrid composites to determine the effect of the T‐GSP particles on the wettability and interfacial adhesion of the fiber and the LLDPE matrix. Likewise, mechanical properties of 15 wt% of T‐GSP with 20 wt% of BF hybrid composite reported an increment of 76.39% and 397.05% in tensile strength and modulus, 230.88% and 324.70% in flexural strength and modulus. Also, a decrement of 14.32% in impact strength of the hybrid composites was reported compared to fresh LLDPE polymer. Shore D hardness testing recorded a 27% increment in hardness, while TGA and DSC reported a reduction in degradation temperature and an increment in crystallization and melting temperature of the fabricated composites. dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) shows an increment in the glass transition temperature of all the composites.