Investigation of morphological, mechanical and thermal properties of (PP) polypropylene based composites prepared with apricot kernel shell

This study provides a detailed investigation into the morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of apricot kernel shell (AKS) / polypropylene (PP) composites. The composites were produced using a twin-screw extruder with various ratios of apricot kernel shell (AKS) and maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as a compatibilizer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a homogeneous dispersion of AKS within the PP matrix. Mechanical tests demonstrated that increasing AKS content decreased tensile strength and elongation at break. However, the addition of MAPP significantly improved these properties. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that AKS increases the crystallization temperatures and delays the thermal degradation of the composites. These findings suggest that AKS can serve as a sustainable filler material in PP-based composites, offering potential benefits for eco-friendly material production. [GRAPHICS] Purpose: This study aims to develop PP-based composite materials utilizing AKS and to comprehensively analyze their morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties. The primary objective is to create environmentally sustainable strong composite materials, thereby contributing to the reduction of plastic waste and exploring the potential of apricot kernel shells for use in polymer composites. Theory and Methods: The composites were prepared by mixing various proportions of AKS, PP, and MAPP, followed by twin screw extrusion and injection molding to produce test specimens, which were then analyzed for their morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties. The analyses, including SEM, DSC, and TGA were conducted to assess the feasibility and advantages of using AKS in PP composites for reducing plastic waste and wood. Results: The results showed that incorporating 30% AKS into the PP matrix decreased tensile strength by up to 35% and elongation at the break by up to 80%, while the use of MAPP as a compatibilizer improved tensile strength to 30.70 MPa. Additionally, the thermal analysis indicated that AKS increased the crystallization temperature by up to 3 degrees C and retarded the thermal degradation in composites. Conclusion: The incorporation of apricot kernel shell (AKS) into polypropylene (PP) matrices, particularly with the use of maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) compatibilizer, enhances the mechanical properties of the composites, demonstrating significant potential for reducing plastic waste and improving material performance.