Effect of alkaline treatment on hard vegetable shells on the properties of biobased abrasive wheels

Abstract

One of challenges in composites research is to improve the quality of the interface fillers-matrix. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment of coconut shells and palm kernel shells on the properties of wheels made. Shells were treated at concentrations of 1 %, 5 % and 10 % for 90 min before being used as abrasive grains to reinforce an epoxy matrix. The thermal degradation of shells was analyzed and the morphological study shows that the treatment modifies the surface of grains. The treatment led to a reduction in the water absorption rate of more than 10 % and the porosity of the grinding wheels of around 15 %. Statistical analysis showed that the treatment improved the material removal rate and wear resistance. The wheels treated with a concentration of 1 % gave better results with removal rates of 160 mg/s and wear rates of 3.86E-05 cm3/N.m.