To Explore the Effect of Modified Seashell on the Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Polymer Matrix Composite

Abstract

This research paper proposes a sustainable and feasible technique to utilize seashell waste. The utilization of seashells offers economic and environmental benefits because of their abundant, renewable, and cheap source of calcium carbonate. The technique will reduce the hazards of seashell waste generated to the environment and landfilling that cause risk to water sources and public health. Moreover, the synthesized bio − CaCO3 will reduce the end-product cost of the polymer. The successful synthesis of bio-calcium carbonate powder (bio − CaCO3) was carried out using a calcinations technique up to 800°C from seashells. The high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composite samples were prepared via the industrially preferred melt route by varying the shell powder content by 10% and 20% by weight. The composite was subjected to Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetric (DSC), and mechanical analysis. TGA confirmed the thermal behavior of synthesized bio − CaCO3. The thermal degradation temperature of bio − CaCO3 and virgin HDPE were distinctly observed at 734 °C and 443 °C, respectively, in composite samples. The thermal stability was increased by more than 37 °C in the composite sample at 20% bio − CaCO3 loadings. The percent crystallinity also increased by 14% for higher bio − CaCO3 loadings when compared to virgin HDPE. DSC analysis showed no significant changes in melting points and was not affected by the addition of bio − CaCO3 and remained at about 134 °C in virgin and composite samples. This observation is attributed to the similar crystal structures in all samples. The HDPE composite sample showed higher tensile strength, about 25%, than virgin HDPE. In addition, HDPE10 and HDPE20 composite samples showed lower elongation at break when compared to virgin HDPE in accordance with the literature.