Mechanical, Thermal and Morphological Properties of Poly(butylene Succinate) Filled with Bio-Functional Filler from Eggshell Waste

Abstract

In this work, calcium carbonate derived from eggshell, in a form of eggshell powder (ESP) with an average particle size of 13.96 μm, was used as bio-reinforcing filler for poly (butylene succinate), (PBS). The effect of ESP content on mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of ESP filled PBS was investigated. The ESP/PBS composites were prepared at various ESP contents of 10, 20, 30 and 40 wt.%. It was found that incorporation of ESP into PBS matrix resulted in an improvement of Youngs modulus but it resulted in a decrease of tensile stress at break, yield strength and impact strength of the composite. In addition, increasing ESP content did not significantly influence decomposition temperature and melting temperature of PBS matrix. On the other hand, with increasing ESP content, crystallization temperature of the composite decreased but degree of crystallinity increased. Fracture surface morphology of the PBS composites obtained from scanning electron microscope indicated agglomeration and poor distribution of ESP within the composite matrix. Partial adhesion between ESP surface and PBS matrix was observed as well.