Development of polymer bio composites utilizing sea shell as filler

Abstract

The effect of seashell fillers loading and polypropylene-grafted-maleic anhydride (MA-g- PP) as a compatibilizer to the physical and mechanical properties were studied. The compounding of bio-composites was carried out using different ratio in weight percentage of PP/seashell with and without MA-g-PP as a compatibilizer. The PP/Seashell biocomposites was compounded by using Z-Blade mixer at temperature 180ºC and speed 15 rpm then compressed by using hot press machine at the same temperature. The biocomposites were tested and characterized using Tensile Test, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). Tensile test indicates that the increase in filler loading will decrease the value of tensile stress and elongation at break but not for modulus of elasticity. From SEM, the sample without compatibilizer shows poor interfacial adhesion between the matrix and the sample and the void was spotted. FTIR result show at 699.70 bands and 712.42 bands indicates the present of seashell filler while at 2334.26 bands indicates the present of MA-g-PP. The addition of MA-g-PP as a compatibilizer into the sample offer better properties than sample without compatibilizer.