Effect of filler loading and particle size on the mechanical properties of periwinkle shell-filled recycled polypropylene composite
Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
U. P.
Abstract
Mechanical properties of composites of recycled polypropylene filled with periwinkle shell powder were investigated. Periwinkle shells used in this study were thoroughly cleaned, ground and sieved to three particle sizes of 150, 300 and 425 µm respectively. Filler loadings of 0 to 25 wt% were used in compounding the composites in an injection moulding machine and the resulting composites were extruded as sheets. Some mechanical properties were determined. Results showed that periwinkle shell powder improved the tensile strength, flexural strength, tensile modulus and hardness of polypropylene composites. These properties were found to increase with filler loading up to 15 wt% or 20 wt% loading (optimal filler loading) but decrease with filler particle size. However, elongation at break was found to decrease with increasing filler loading. Highest tensile and flexural strengths were obtained at 15 and 20 wt% respectively at 150 µm particle size. It is therefore concluded that periwinkle shell powder is suitable for the production of polypropylene composites
Description
This article contains tables and figures
Keywords
Polypropylene, periwinkle shell powder, filler, composite, particle size, Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
Citation
Onuoha, C., Onyemaobi, O. O., Anyakwo, C. N. & Onuegbu, G. C. (2017). Effect of filler loading and particle size on the mechanical properties of periwinkle shell-filled recycled polypropylene composite. American Journal of Engineering Research, 6(4), 72 - 79