Abstract
Epoxy composites modified with ground walnut shell used as organic waste fillers were prepared and examined. Post-agricultural waste materials after grinding were characterized by evaluation of grain size distribution and structure observations realized using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The influence of filler addition on the mechanical properties of epoxy-based composites was determined by: static tensile test, Charpy impact test, and ball indentation hardness measurements. Composite samples containing 20, 30, 40, and 50 wt% of walnut shell were characterized by increased stiffness and hardness in comparison to the unmodified resins. Moreover, the incorporation of the filler resulted in a decrease of composite material tensile strength and impact resistance. Thermo-mechanical properties of the composites were investigated by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Results obtained from DMTA tests showed a growth in the composites’ stiffness at elevated temperatures as a function of the increasing natural filler content. The material characterization was supplemented by thermal stability evaluation realized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that the incorporation of ground walnut shell led to an improved thermal stability of composite materials. The analysis of the change in composite material properties, caused by natural filler incorporation, was complemented by material microstructure observations.
Highlights
The purpose of fillers introduced into polymers is to reduce costs, improve the processing properties, and achieve a change in material properties to mention only increase in stiffness and strength [1] as well as improved thermal resistance or conductivity [2, 3]
The aim of this study is to develop and characterize composites based on epoxy resin highly filled with post-agricultural waste material
scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs presented in Fig. 2 showed grains of the natural filler applied in this study after the grinding and drying processes
Summary
The purpose of fillers introduced into polymers is to reduce costs, improve the processing properties, and achieve a change in material properties to mention only increase in stiffness and strength [1] as well as improved thermal resistance or conductivity [2, 3]. The unquestionable advantage of natural organic fillers is their availability (the possibility of acquiring raw materials from any part of the locally occurring plants), renewability, and relatively low cost which contributes to a reduced end-product price [4]. Several advantages resulting from the replacement of inorganic and synthetic fillers with organic materials for composite material production should be specified: low density, natural origin, satisfactory mechanical properties, high vibration damping ability, and good thermal insulation [5, 8]
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