The effect of filler loading on palm slag filled thermoplastic composite

Abstract

This thesis presents the effect of filler loading of palm slag filled thermoplastic composite. Generally, palm slag is waste product from the boiler combustion chamber of the palm oil processing in industry. This waste material usually dumped in open land without any commercial value. Unfortunately, this waste material was produced in large quantity and can harm the environment. In this research, the thermoplastic composite was prepared from High density polyethylene (HDPE) and palm slag of varying particle sizes which are 75 μm and 300 μm by using injection molding machine. The characterization of palm slag was done by using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Next, the effects of particle size and filler loading (10% to 50%) on mechanical properties of the composite were investigated. The mechanical parameter investigated on the prepared composite sample include; tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and elongation at break. Next, the morphology of tensile fracture structure was studied by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The experimental analysis showed the mechanical properties of palm slag filled thermoplastic composite, especially on tensile strength (lower value), modulus of elasticity (higher value) and break elongation (lower value) were obtained with increase in particle size and filler loading.