Abstract
Four different formulations of natural fiber-polymer composites were fabricated from mixtures of hazelnut (Corylus avellana) husk flour (HHF), polypropylene (PP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE). Variables examined included polymer and coupling agent types. All formulations were compression molded in a hot press for 3 minutes at 175 0C. The resulted specimens were tested for mechanical properties according to ASTM D-790 and ASTM D-638. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetry (TG) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis were performed to characterize rheological properties of the fabricated composite. Furthermore, decay tests were performed to determine degradation of hazelnut husk polymer matrices. Hazelnut husk polymer composites had high mechanical properties for the tested formulations. The thermal studies showed that incorporation of hazelnut husk into the polymer matrices used did not adversely affect the composite. The HDPE+50% wood + 3% MAPE (HHF2) formulation showed the highest natural durability with only 3,47% and 4,60% mass losses against Trametes versicolor and Postia plecenta, respectively, while Scots pine solid controls experienced around 32% mass loss under the same exposure condition.
Highlights
The demand for natural and synthetic products has increased in parallel with the increasing world population
Strength and elongation break values decreased with addition of hazelnut (Corylus avellana) husk flour (HHF) in composites composed of both HHF-high density polyethylene (HDPE) and PP (Table 2)
The following conclusions were obtained from this research: All of the polymer composites had good mechanical properties that met the minimum flexural strength of 6,9 MPa and flexural modulus of 0,34Gpa
Summary
The demand for natural and synthetic products has increased in parallel with the increasing world population. Depending on the production processes of these products, substantial amount of waste material has been generated, resulting in environmental pollution. Utilization of renewable resources gained importance (Wang and Zhu 2010). Lignocellulose is the most abundant and widely utilized renewable material on earth (Mengeloglu and Karakus 2008). Utilization of annual plants became more practical in some countries, such as Turkey, which has very limited forest resources. This provides a great deal of benefit to the economy of the country (Ashori 2009, Wang et al 2009)
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