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Fabrication and Characterization of Paper-Sludge Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

Ruhul A. Khan, Haydar U. Zaman

Abstract


The purpose of this research was to identify some physical and mechanical characteristics of polypropylene (PP) composites reinforced using various paper sludge (PS) and PP combinations, as well as to assess the performance of the coupling agent. The physico-chemical characteristics of the waste sludge material from paper manufacturing wastewater treatment sludge (PS) were investigated. The physical and mechanical properties of the composite were examined in the experiment using three levels of coupling agent (maleated PP or MPP) content (1, 3, and 5 wt%) and four levels of PS (10, 20, 30, and 40 wt%). As was to be expected, composite density increased as PS content increased, while melt flow index fell. In comparison to control specimens, the addition of PS somewhat reduced the thickness swelling of composites. The incorporation of the PS improved the composites' tensile characteristics. In particular, the tensile modulus increased as the PS content rose. Similar tendencies to those of the tensile values could be seen in the flexural strength and modulus. The addition of PS decreased the notched Izod impact strengths. In comparison to control specimens, the addition of MPP significantly improved the tensile and flexural characteristics (without any coupling agent). It should be highlighted that the addition of MPP to the composite formulation improved the mechanical characteristics by increasing the compatibility of the PS and PP through esterification. Overall findings point to the possibility of using wastepaper sludge material as a workable reinforcing filler for thermoplastic polymer composites.

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