Recycled Polypropylene/Peanut Shell Powder Composites: Effect of Filler Loading and Compatibilizer

By : N.F. Zaaba, M. Mariatti, H. Ismail

Page No: 639-645

Abstract
Composites containing various loadings of recycled polypropylene (RPP) and peanut shell powder (PSP) were prepared. The effect of poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) (PEAA) as a compatibilizer and PSP loading on the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, tensile properties, and morphology were investigated. The PSP was varied from 0 to 40 wt.% while PEAA was used at 3 wt.% based on PSP content. The results showed that the incorporation of PSP caused an increase in tensile modulus but dropped the tensile strength and elongation at break of both composites. However, FTIR analysis revealed a slight change in OH band positions and intensities of composites with PEAA, indicating a distinct interaction between the chains of PEAA and PSP, thus enhanced the tensile properties. SEM micrographs showed the good interaction between PSP and the RPP matrix of compatibilized composites.

Authors :
N.F. Zaaba, M. Mariatti and H. Ismail :  School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia