Mechanical and physical performance of cowdung-based polypropylene biocomposites

In this work, potential of cow dung (CD) as a reinforcing material was evaluated. CD was blended in different ratios up to 50 wt% with polypropylene (PP) using Brabender twin-screw compounder. The results show a steady decline in the biocomposite tensile and impact strength with increasing CD loadin...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Khalid, Mohammad, Ratnam, Chantara Thevy, Abdullah, Luqman Chuah, Walvekar, Rashmi, Ching, Yern Chee, Ketabchi, Mohammad Reza
Format: Article
Published: Wiley 2016
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Summary:In this work, potential of cow dung (CD) as a reinforcing material was evaluated. CD was blended in different ratios up to 50 wt% with polypropylene (PP) using Brabender twin-screw compounder. The results show a steady decline in the biocomposite tensile and impact strength with increasing CD loading. In contrast, the storage modulus (E′), flexural modulus, and water absorption capacity of the biocomposites increased with increasing CD loading. Furthermore, it was revealed by SEM that the failure of the PP/CD biocomposites at higher filler loading was because of the week interfacial bonding. Results established that the properties of PP/CD biocomposites are a function of CD loading.