 

Wood plastic composite (WPC) materials have shown a remarkable performance in various applications due to its inherent properties like strength, durability and lightweight over conventional composite materials.  However, utilization of wood as an organic filler for polymers poses a serious negative impact to the green areas. Therefore, utilization of agro-residues as organic fillers instead of wood offers sustainable solution to the aforementioned problem. In this context, this study aims to investigate the potential use of date palm pedicel agro-residues as natural fillers in eco-composites in which recycled post-consumer polypropylene is used as a matrix. Three levels of date palm flour content, namely, 10 v.%, 20 v.% and 30 v.% are used. The chemical treatment is used to improve the bonding between the fillers and their hosting matrix. In this study, we use NaOH alkali solution to modify the filler properties and improve surface characteristics. Different functionalization methods to enhance the properties of the polymer will be evaluated and compared. Samples are manufactured using melt extrusion followed by compression moulding. The influence of the date palm pedicels flour content on the mechanical and physical behavior of the developed eco-composites is examined. Mechanical properties including strength and Young’s modulus, density, and moisture absorption of the fabricated eco-composites are characterized experimentally in according to ASTM standards. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), are also performed to assess the thermal and physical characteristics of developed composites. Moreover, the morphology of microstructure is also captured using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Generally, adding natural fillers to the polymer matrix is cost effective but it also affects tensile strength, elongation, and flexural strength at break and enhance the young’s modulus compared to the neat polypropylene polymer. Also, it is observed that recycled polypropylene based composites are more repellent to water absorption in comparison to the virgin polypropylene based composites. This attribute might be due to the surface quality transformation for the reprocessed plastic polymer.

The natural filler-composites are more environmentally friendly, which makes them cost effective materials for different applications including building and construction industries (ceiling panelling, partition boards),   transportation industry (automobiles and railway coaches), military industry, packaging, and consumer products. It is quite evident  that  newer  composites  using  abundantly available natural filer wastes and recycled thermoplastic polymers are on the horizon, hence, setting new  trends  in  the field of composite  materials in local and regional industries.

Keywords: Eco-composites; Recycled polymers; Date Palm Flour; Characterization; Natural agro-residue


Development of New Eco-Composites From Natural Agro-Residues and Recycled Polymers

Division / Sponsors: 
Aerospace, Bioengineering, Applied Mechanics, Design Engineering Division, Advanced Energy Systems, Manufacturing Engineering Division, Noise Control and Acoustics, Nondestructive Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Prognosis (NDPD), Nuclear Engineering Division, Process Industries Division, Fluids Engineering, Heat Transfer, Materials, Microelectromechanical Systems, Safety Engineering and Risk Analysis, Computers & Information in Engineering


Paper Proceedings: https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/IMECE/IMECE2020/volume/84478

IMECE2020 - Virtual Conference

Supporting the need among researchers worldwide for additional online and multimedia content, ASME now offers the ASME Conference Video Collection. This platform will collect and provide long-term access to conference presentation videos, encompassing all technology areas within ASME's technical conference and events program. About 30,000-40,000 engineers across all mechanical engineering and related disciplines participate in ASME conferences each year. This includes authors of approximately 6,000 to 8,000 technical papers published by ASME, the majority of whom also submit video presentations for our virtual conferences. The video collection will be available as an add-on to existing product packages or as a separate subscription.