Investigation of the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Organic Waste Reinforced Polyester Composites

Abstract

The aim of the research is to investigate the usability of composites produced using the organic waste from hazelnut and corn processing in the Black Sea Region in constructional applications with regard to mechanical and thermal conduction. Polymer composite test samples were produced to which hazelnut shells, corn stalk, nettle stalk (excl. fibres) and nettle fibres had been added in varying (5, 10, 15, 20%) weights to the polyester matrix. Thermal conductivity coefficients were determined in the context of the thermal properties of composite samples. In addition, mechanical properties were determined by compression strength and a three-point bending test. The physical properties of the wastes were determined via XRD, glass transition temperature, one of the thermal features of the composites that is found via DSC and, lastly, the thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity are determined via a heat flow meter. The effect of organic waste amounts and their chemical and physical features on composites’ mechanical and thermal properties are discussed in this study. The results of the study show that nettle stalk-reinforced composites have a low density and more advantageous features than the other composites tested in terms of their thermal conductivities.