Development of biowaste encapsulated polypropylene composites: Thermal, optical, dielectric, flame retardant, mechanical, and morphological properties

Polymer matrix composites have recently gained attraction due to their light weight, low cost, and easy availability, but they are also known for their higher burning rate and low thermal stability. Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most used thermoplastic polymers, its thermal stability and flammability have been modified in this study by incorporation of oyster shell powder (OSP) into PP as a filler. Besides flammability and thermal properties, OSP incorporation has some effects on dielectric and mechanical properties of PP. Effect of concentration of OSP (0–50 wt%) on the properties of OSP/PP composites was studied. The burning rate was observed to decrease while thermal stability was increased as a result of OSP addition into PP. Similarly, relative permittivity (dielectric constant) of OSP/PP composites was found higher than that of pure PP. Flame retardancy, thermal stability, and dielectric properties are functions of OSP concentration. Optical tests including fluorescence spectroscopy and FT‐IR were conducted to study any possible interactions between OSP and PP. A slight decrease in the tensile strength was observed. FESEM images revealed that the decrease in tensile strength is a result of interfacial flaws between filler particles and matrix. Tensile modulus was found to increase which is an evidence of stiffness, this is also correlated to the improvement in thermal stability. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:236–243, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers