Effect of Prosopis Juliflora Thorns on Mechanical Properties of Plastic Waste Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Abstract

Plastics are unavoidable at this times, putting our planet in danger. The Prosopis juliflora (PJ) thorns are collected, processed, and powdered. The mechanical characteristics of these powders are examined when combined with polymer composites. Pores are the main cause of moisture input, hence using powder filler materials reduces the number of pores in the composite, increasing water resistance. The composites are made by altering three parameters: waste plastic content, filler powder composition, and chemical treatment. It was discovered that the integration of thorn powder increased the wear resistance. The composites were tested in accordance with ASTM standards, and the results were optimized. Based on the results, composite specimens were created and tested for validation.

Analysis on the impact of recycled ceramic waste, fiber format, and manufacturing techniques on polymer composite properties

“…Metals can undergo heat treatment and cooling procedures to change their surface hardness. With polymers, however, this is not possible because they can be made harder by adding fillers with hardness properties [11,22]. The majority of ceramic fillers are utilized to increase the hardness of polymer composites [2].…”

“…The composite is subjected to a tensile test, a Shore D hardness test, and a water absorption test to determine the effect of filler addition. Composites' tensile properties are evaluated in accordance with ASTM D3039 standards [10,11]. The composites are produced in each method and according to the standards as plates; the specimens are cut using a water jet machining process.…”

“…The addition of palm seed powder to prosopis juliflora-reinforced polymer composites increases their resistance to moisture intake and hardness [10]. The addition of thorn powder reduces the porosity and thereby increases the strength and it was also noted that the resistance to wear also increases [11] Fly ash waste produced by thermal power plants after burning various types of coal is another significant waste that negatively impacts the environment. The flammability resistance of a polymer composite reinforced with woven jute fiber is investigated with the addition of fly ash waste.…”

Tribological performance of functional coated fiber reinforced additively manufactured polymer composite

“…A pin on disc wear testing equipment with a heating chamber was employed to investigate the impact of ceramic particle coating on the wear resistance of an FDM produced part. The coated specimen was affixed to the pin using an adhesive, and the process of testing its resistance to wear was conducted in accordance with the ASTM standard ASTM G99 [3,11,12,45]. The test apparatus comprises an EN31 alloy steel disc, a steel pin, and a mass loading apparatus.…”

“…The incorporation of discarded tile powders into the jute fiber-reinforced polymer composites resulted in increased wear resistance [11]. The incorporation of agro wastes, such as prosopis juliflora thorn powder, into polymer composites that are reinforced with waste polymers enhances the material's resistance to wear [12]. The nylon material was reinforced with short carbon fibers, and the specimens produced through the FDM method exhibited increased wear rates when exposed to lubricated conditions.…”