Mechanical Properties, Morphology and Elemental Composition of Composites Produced from Thermoplastic Polymers Filled with Egg Shell

The aim of this research is to develop environmentally friendly, lightweight composites using egg shell, as filler in some thermoplastic polymer matrices Polypropylene (PP), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) and Polystyrene (PS) polymer; determine the mechanical properties shell-residue composite, find if there any new improvement over starting morphology elemental composition composites. Egg shell was collected from surroundings Ekwulumili Nnewi-South L.G.A Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria where they have been dumped after usage. carried-out at JUNENG NIG LIMITED Enugu, Civil Engineering Department Laboratory University Chemical Ahmadu Bello (ABU), Nigeria; between May 2016 August 2018. agro-wastes were grand into power incorporated virgin polymers varied levels 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% 15%. used Control study. produced determined American standard for Testing Materials (ASTM), Standard Methods; Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) while Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) results generally showed significant improvements which largely influence by amount Modulus elasticity/ tensile strength on almost all matrix (HDPE, PS, PP ABS) different percentages values had better strength. HDPE loaded with has MoE (Modulus Elasticity) 3% 1115.50 MPa (Mega Pascal) MPa, 6% 1581.80 9% 662.40 894.34 15% 998.64 (pure HDPE) 348.38 MPa. For PS graphs show result 12%, 15%, highest lowest value be 1982.60 > 1255.10 >1099.60 972.22 730.45 gave 955.59 (805.71 MPa) (747.18 (571.96 (514.18 (371.98 MPa), pure 428.20 ABS/egg observed follows: (559.00 (384.66 (382.84 (372.66 (327.61 control (160.68 MPa). composite obtained are (49.02 (30.43 12 % (20.56 >15% (14.81 (10.69 respectively 7.40 (20.56MPa) (12.34MPa) = (10.69MPa) (7.40 that (12.34 percentage loading (12.33 (9.87 (5.75 (4.93 8.88 respectively. In ABS, =12% (9.05 (8,06 MPa),and 6.58 ABS tensile, statistical correlation coefficient Pearson product-moment agro-waste fillers stress strain indicate strong positive relationship variables. It evident HDPE, filled reinforced maximum flexural than Control. (33.57 N/mm2), (25.43 (18.77 (16.50 N/mm2) (16.25 (14.92 N/mm2). only (14.32 reduced (17.41 N/mm2); (34.84 (27.35 (24.24 (18.65 higher PP, (22.37 (19.90 (13.72 (6.22 lower values. (28.60 (26.67 (17.50 (15.65 (13.67 electron microscopy carried out samples imageJ software estimate average particle size waste. structures, material appeared homogeneously dispersed shell-waste/polymer composites; heterogeneously voids white patches form an agglomerated mass dimensions. compositional analysis, contain C N a major element present others trace; Fe, Al, Mg, P, Zn, Si. This study provided combinations shell-waste/egg shell- residue potential application automobile building construction industry.