Abstract
ABSTRACTThe use of natural fillers in plastics to substitute conventional synthetic fibres is effective and economical. Eco-friendly bio-composites polypropylene matrix composites reinforced with blended carbonized Terminalia catappa (almond) shell particles and Turritela communis (periwinkle) shell particles were synthesized by mould casting. Five to twenty-five weight per cent of reinforcement was used and the microstructure, water absorption and mechanical properties of developed hybrid composites were evaluated. The microstructure showed a fairly uniform distribution of reinforcement particles in the matrix. The hybrid composite exhibited the best mechanical properties in terms of ultimate tensile strength (8.26 MPa), hardness (134.22 BHN), impact energy (21.81 J), and flexural strength (6.89 MPa) at 15 wt. % filler concentration. These indicate the efficacy of hybridization and the synergy between tropical almond shell ash and periwinkle shell particulates.
Highlights
It has been established that polymers have some limitations such as low stiffness and low resistance to impact on loading
The reinforcement materials used in this study are tropical almond shell particles obtained from the shell of the fruits and periwinkle particles got from the periwinkle shell while the matrix is PP
Hybrid PP matrix composites reinforced with periwinkle shell particles and carbonized almond shell particles have been successfully synthesized and characterized
Summary
It has been established that polymers have some limitations such as low stiffness and low resistance to impact on loading. Polymeric materials reinforced with synthetic fibres such as glass, carbon and aramid provide advantages of high stiffness and strength to weight ratio as compared to conventional construction materials, i.e. wood, concrete and steel. Despite these advantages, the widespread use of synthetic fibrereinforced polymer composites has the tendency to decline because of their high costs, their use in nonefficient structural forms, and most importantly, their adverse environmental impact [1]. The practical choice of polymeric materials is, determined by the mechanical and tribological properties and by the price, simplicity of production, processing and the practical limitations in the real application [2,3]
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