Studies on bio waste product particle reinforced polymer composites

Abstract

In this paper, development and characterization of polymer bio-composites were studied. The powdered coconut shell, walnut shell and wood apple (Bael Fruit) shell are used as reinforcements with epoxy resin to form hybrid composites. Two combinations were made in the study namely, walnut shell flour-coconut shell flour/PP composites and Wood apple shell flour-Coconut shell flour/PP composites, properties of each combination were studied, compared and analysed. The compositions of resin and fiber are 60:40. The fibers compositions in eachcombinationare30:10 (coconut shell powder - walnut shell powder and coconut shell powder - wood apple shell powder combinations) while the resin and hardener composition 10:1 respectively. The fabricated composites were tested as per ASTM standards to evaluate mechanical properties such as tensile strength and flexural strength. It is evidentially proven, the incorporation of coconut shell, walnut shell and wood apple shell powders can improve the mechanical properties of the composites. Hybrid composite showed better properties in comparison with both the individual particle reinforced composites under both tensile and flexural test. In particular, walnut shell flour &coconut shell flour /PP composites results with better properties in comparison with wood apple shell flour &coconut shell flour /PP composites.