Thermo-Mechanical Properties of Unsaturated Polyester Reinforced with Coconut and Snail Shells

Abstract

Abstract

Particulate-filled polymer composites are becoming quite attractive because of their low cost and wide applications. In this study, the effects of coconut shell (CS) and snail shell (SS) volume fractions (5–50 vol. %) on the thermal and mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) composite are investigated. The results show that tensile strength, elongation at break, flexural strength, and hardness of the composite increase as filler concentration increases. However, impact strength of the composite decreases with increase in filler concentration. FTIR spectra of UPR composites show that, at 30 vol. % filler content there is good and effective interfacial interaction between UPR matrix and the fillers. The thermal properties from DTA measurement show that the glass transition temperature, Tg and Tm of the composites, at 5, 20 and 50 vol % reinforcement contents, are lower and higher respectively to the cured-virgin UPR matrix. The morphology of fillers dispersion into the polymer matrix observed using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicates homogeneous dispersion in the UPR matrix with strong interfacial adhesion between the fillers and UPR matrix. These result in enhanced mechanical properties.

Keywords: Coconut shell (CS), snail shell (SS), UPR composite, thermal and mechanical properties