Preparation and analysis of polypropylene composites with maleated tea dust particles

Abstract In this research work, the recycling of waste tea dust particles was done by preparing the injection moulded polypropylene (PP) composites using different (10–40 wt.%) loadings of tea dust particles as a filler. The tea dust particles were treated with maleic anhydride (MA) and its esterification effect was studied on physico-mechanical (morphology, mechanical, thermal and swelling) properties of tea dust:polypropylene (TD:PP) composites. Surface modification of tea dust particles was observed due to the MA treatment i.e. the esterification effect. The surface morphology of the composites showed better interfacial bonding between the maleated tea dust particles and PP than the untreated particles. The mechanical properties of the maleated TD:PP composites were found to be improved (200–300% higher tensile strength, 250% higher tensile modulus, 43% higher flexural strength and 10% higher hardness) as compared to untreated TD:PP composites. Crystallinity and thermal properties of the maleated TD:PP composites showed increasing trend with increase in filler content. Water absorption tests showed that maleated TD:PP composites absorb less water than that of untreated one. The increment in all these properties is due to the greater compatibility in tea dust particles and PP by MA treatment. Thus, tea dust particles can be suggested for preparation of composite materials.