Usability of Pine Sawdust and Cotton Together as Filler in Recycled Polypropylene Composites

Abstract

The use of natural fillers in polymers is a common method used to improve the properties of polymers. Natural fillers can be of plant or animal origin and provide several advantages over polymers. Although natural fillers are mostly used to reduce costs, they also affect other thermal, mechanical and physical properties. The use of natural fillers in polymers is a way to develop a sustainable and environmentally friendly material. Natural fillers are derived from renewable resources and their production requires less energy and resources than the production of synthetic fillers. Wood sawdust is a waste material that occurs extensively in the wood processing industry. Its easy-to-apply nature makes it an ideal choice for a variety of applications. In this study, waste pine wood sawdust was used as filler in the composite. Along with sawdust, waste cotton was also added to the composite. Recycled Polypropylene was preferred as the matrix material. Composite samples were prepared with extrusion and injection molding methods. Melt flow rate (MFI),density, Izod impact strength tests of the samples were performed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images taken from the broken surfaces were analyzed. As a result of the study, it was evaluated that pine sawdust and waste cotton would be used in polypropylene-based composite applications.