Thermal, mechanical, morphological, and structural properties of composites based on polyolefin and biofiller produced from snail shell (PP/SSP)

Abstract

Polypropylene (PP) and its composites have excellent fluidity, mechanical properties, weather resistance, chemical strength, and are economical. Additionally, they are very popular and widely used in various applications such as automotive, construction, and consumer goods. This study shows the injection molding process of specimens and the effect of snail shell powder (SSP) produced by the mechanochemical processes in the polypropylene matrix in terms of mechanical, thermal, structural, and morphological analysis using Traction and Hardness test, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transformation infrared (FT-IR), and optical microscopy (OM). As a result, the thermal analysis indicates that by increasing SSP. When compared to pure polypropylene, the melting temperature of composites PP/SSP-5 decreased while the crystallization temperature increased. Thus, the degree of crystallinity decreased. In addition, the mechanical properties were improved by increases in Young’s modulus of 11% and decrease in stress and elongation at break of 81% and 54%, respectively. While the tensile strength fluctuates with the loaded SSP. Also, the toughness of the PP/SSP-10% composites showed a decrease of 81% compared to the pure PP. Furthermore, structural analysis using Fourier transformation infrared (FT-IR) confirms the combination of SSP and PP. Optical microscopy confirms the obtained results by demonstrating a good distribution of SSP in the PP matrix. We can confirm that SSP improves the properties of PP and can be used as an environmentally friendly and renewable filler.