A preliminary evaluation of bing cherry tree (prunus avium L.) pruning waste as an alternative lignocellulosic filler for lightweight composite material applications

Abstract The growing global demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly polymer materials is driving interest in cellulose‐based materials. In response to this need, lignocellulosic fillers (LF) were extracted from pruning waste of bing cherry tree (Prunus Avium L.) branches as an alternative source of filler materials. The extracted LF were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Their chemical composition, density and particle size distribution (PSD) were also analyzed. In the second part of the study, biocomposites were prepared by incorporating fillers with particle sizes below 100 microns into an epoxy matrix at concentrations of 5%, 10% and 15% by weight. These biocomposites were then characterized by tensile test, three‐point bending test and SEM analyze to determine their mechanical and morphological properties. Among the biocomposites, the one with 5% wood filler showed the best properties with a tensile strength of 45 MPa, tensile modulus of 1883 MPa, flexural strength of 74 MPa and flexural modulus of 2559 MPa. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of lignocellulosic particles in improving polymer matrices and suggest their potential for use in non‐structural applications in the automotive and marine industries, such as interior panels. Highlights Cherry tree pruning waste has been characterized for the first time. The potential use of cherry tree pruning waste as a filler material in thermosets has been investigated for the first time. This study aims to contribute to the reduction of plastic consumption and the development of environmentally friendly products.