Characterization of Walnut shell particulate reinforced HDPE Composite for mechanical Behavior

Abstract

Polymer Matrix composites reduces the structural weight which is most important parameter in the recent days, also ultilization of HDPE plastic is increasing yearly hence in order to optimize the utilization of HDPE Plastic lot of research work is been carried out. Present work deals with study of Walnut shell powder reinforced HDPE composite for mechanical behavior. By varying the percentage of walnut shell (WS) powder (20, 40 and 60 by volume %) reinforced with High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), thermoplastic composites are blended using Brabender Mixing technique and synthesized using injection molding. Composite specimens of different composites are studied under Tensile, Bending, Quasi Static compression, Impact Loading also Thermal Analysis DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) is performed for the composites. Composite density and tensile modulus increase with increasing Walnut shell powder content where in tensile strength of composite samples is lower as compared to neat HDPE. Specific modulus and strength show increasing and decreasing trend with higher Walnut Shell loading respectively. The flexural modulus and strength are observed to increase with increase in the wt.% of WS. Compared to pure HDPE, the flexural modulus and strength increased in the range of 205-403% and 49-58% respectively. Further quasi-static compression tests are carried at 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 s-1 strain rates. Compressive modulus of HDPE/WS specimens is lower as compared to pure HDPE samples for all the strain rates. Compressive yield strength of HDPE/WS specimens shows increasing trend with increase in the strain rates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is employed to study the fractography of the samples. DSC Results showed the similar Behavior as that of Pure HDPE, Impact strength reduced by increasing the Walnut shell powder. newline