The Effect of Coconut Shell Powder as Functional Filler in Polypropylene during Compounding and Subsequent Molding

Matt Kirby,Walter Bradley,Benjamin Lewis,Juliana Anggono,Benjamin Peterson,R.H Setyobudi,T Turkadze,M Mel,Y Jani,P Soni,F.D Suprianto,O Anne,Z Vincēviča-Gaile

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/201913001021

Matt Kirby, Walter Bradley + Show 11 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/201913001021

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Abstract

Fine powder produced from coconut shells (CSP) has been found to be excellent functional filler in polypropylene, significantly increasing flexural and tensile moduli, slightly increasing tensile strength, and good retention of Izod impact strength at weight percentages less than 20 %. The research presented in this paper explores the temperature processing window for coconut shell powder filled polypropylene and the change in the rheological behavior of the polypropylene due to the addition of CSP as functional filler in this processing temperature window. The reason for the simultaneous increase in flexural modulus, tensile strength, and good retention of Izod impact behavior is also investigated

Highlights

There is a growing interest in making polymeric composite materials that are more sustainably by using functional fillers that are renewable
To give guidance to compounders and injection molders, this research had an interest in the rate of degradation for coconut shell powder imbedded in PP, which would delay for some time the onset of thermal degradation just due to the thermal inertia associated with heating up PP pellets with Coconut shell powder (CSP) already compounded into them
The thermo-gravimetric analyzer (TGA) results for coconut shell powder (CSP) are presented in Figure 1 along with results for powders made from rice hulls, walnuts shells and pine wood

Summary

Introduction

There is a growing interest in making polymeric composite materials that are more sustainably by using functional fillers that are renewable. The addition of 10 wt% to 20 wt% CSP to polypropylene (PP) can increase the flexural modulus from 40 % to 70 %, the tensile strength from 30 % to 50 % with good retention of Izod impact strength [2]. These exciting results have stimulated a keen interest to know how the incorporation of CSP into PP will affect its processing. A third significant question is how can the coconut shell powder increase the strength and stiffness of polypropylene with good retention of its Izod impact strength, which is most unusual? An important question is how is the rheological behavior of the PP is altered with the addition of various amounts of coconut shell powder? A third significant question is how can the coconut shell powder increase the strength and stiffness of polypropylene with good retention of its Izod impact strength, which is most unusual?

Maximum allowable processing temperature

Minimum allowable processing temperature

Experimental plans and procedures

Materials

Effect of CSP on rheological behavior of PP in thermal processing window

Summary