INFLUENCE OF PARTICLESIZE DISTRIBUTION ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CATTLE BONE/CALCIUM CARBONATE HYBRID REINFORCED POLYPROPYLENE COMPOSITE

Abstract

This research focused on examining the mechanical, wear and thermal properties of calcined cattle bone/calcium carbonate particulate reinforced polypropylene matrix. The calcined cattle bone(CCB) used as one of the reinforcements for the production of the particulate reinforced polymer composite was ofthree different particle sizes: 53, 63 and 75 μm.Composite samples were produced in a predetermined proportion of 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 wt% of the reinforcements using compression moulding machine. Tensile, flexural, impact, wear, water absorption, and porosity were carried out in accordance with ASTM D790, ASTM D256-10, ASTM D1044-13, and ASTM D5229M-12 standard procedures, respectively. The thermal stability and the crystal structures of the particulate composites were studied using a Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) and X-Ray Diffraction Spectrometer, respectively, while Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to examine the surface morphology of the composites fractured surfaces. SEM analysis revealed good interfacial adhesion in the morphology of the composite produced. TGA analysis revealed that 75μm hybrid reinforced composite sample was more thermally stable in comparison with other particle sizes and the control sample. XRD analysis showed that 53 μm hybrid reinforced composite has higher crystallinity due to the large surface area that is possible from fine particles compared to the larger ones. Results obtained from the mechanical test (flexural, tensile, impact) and wear test showed that 53 μm hybrid reinforced samples performed better than other particle sizes due to good surface adhesion between the matrix and the reinforcement particles.Water absorption and porosity test revealed that the control sample absorbed less water due to hydrophobic nature of pure polypropylene polymer and while 53 μm hybrid reinforced samples was found to be less porous compared to other samples. There sults revealed that 53 μm hybrid reinforced polypropylene possess better properties than the other particle sizes and the control sample.