• Chien, Tan Wuan
• Munusamy, Yamuna
• Muniyadi, Mathialagan

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The saturation point of <jats:italic>Mimusop elengi</jats:italic> seed shell powder (MESSP) and the effect of MESSP addition on the mechanical, thermal, water absorption and morphological properties of polypropylene (PP) composites were studied. Tensile fracture, physio-mechanical properties and thermal behavior of composites were characterized using tensile and impact testing, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron micrograph, and differential scanning calorimetry. Processability of composites were feasible up to 20 wt. % MESSP by which agglomeration of MESSP and poor dispersion of MESSP in PP was observed above 20 wt% MESSP loading. Increasing MESSP loading showed tremendous improvement in tensile modulus and impact strength, whereas tensile strength and elongation at break were reduced. Water absorption and thermal decomposition of composites remain comparable with addition of MESSP up to 20 wt. %. Reduction of tensile strength was attributed by weak adhesion between MESSP and PP. However, morphological analysis revealed the presence of physical interaction via PP chain interlocking on MESSP surface.</jats:p>

Topics

• dispersion
• surface
• strength
• composite
• thermogravimetry
• differential scanning calorimetry
• tensile strength
• thermal decomposition