Walnut shells as a filler for polymeric materials

This work presents selected properties of polypropylene-based (PP) composites modified with an organic filler, namely walnut shells (NUT). Two series of composites were prepared via a twin-screw extrusion process, followed by injection molding. The first series, named PP/NUT, contained 10, 20 and 40 wt% of walnut shell powder, while the second, abbreviated PP/NUT/MAPP, apart from nut filler included polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride (MAPP), which was intended to promote adhesion between the polymer and filler. The following measuring techniques were applied: differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The measurements showed the filler to have a significant influence on the properties of the PP/NUT composites in comparison with unmodified polypropylene. It was also shown that the addition of polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride to the formulation enhanced interfacial bonding between the polymeric matrix and filler. Moreover, the introduction of organic filler to the polymeric matrix increased its stiffness without altering the crystallization kinetics of polypropylene.

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Opracowanie rekordu w ramach umowy 509/P-DUN/2018 ze środków MNiSW przeznaczonych na działalność upowszechniającą naukę (2019).