MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYPROPYLENE-CALCIUM HYDROXIDE
Keywords:
Polypropylene, Calcium Hydroxide, Reinforcement, Composite Material, FillersAbstract
The incorporation of fillers alters the physical and mechanical properties of the composite materials. This study focuses on the use of calcium carbide waste (CCW) as a filler for polypropylene to determine the mechanical properties of the resulting composite and aims to utilize waste material as a filler to reduce the cost of production and create job opportunities while reducing environmental pollution. The objectives of the study are to determine the effect of filler loading on the mechanical properties of the composites and investigate the distribution, orientation, and interaction of fillers in the composites. The methodology involves using a polymer injection moulding machine to process the composites, and samples are tested for tensile strength, flexural strength and hardness properties. The results helped to determine the potential of Ca (OH)2 as a filler in polypropylene and its impact on the mechanical properties of the composites. The mechanical properties of polypropylene-calcium carbide waste composites were successfully determined in this study. The results showed that the tensile, flexural strength and hardness of the composites increased with increasing filler loading up to 10 wt%, but decreased beyond that point. This behaviour can be attributed to the agglomeration and poor dispersion of the fillers at higher loading. More research is required to optimize production conditions, investigate the effect of different coupling agents and study the composites' potential applications. Other waste materials should be investigated as fillers, and optimization techniques should be explored to determine the optimum filler loading for the best mechanical properties.