The effect of coconut shell powder as functional filler in polypropylene during compounding and subsequent molding

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.