Influence of coconut shell powder on physico‐mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of polyvinyl chloride recovered from waste rigid pipes

Abstract This research work focuses experimentally study on the utilization of coconut shell powder (CSP) as a strengthening filler in recycled polyvinyl chloride (r‐PVC) retrieve from waste PVC pipes to high mechanical strength composites. Herewith, to improve the interaction within the organic based natural filler and un‐plasticized r‐PVC, the epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) was used as a processing aid. The melt mixing of r‐PVC using CSP as well as ESO was carried out by a two‐roll milling process and further sheets manufacturing process followed by compression molding. The effect of CSP filler content on the physico‐mechanical properties, thermal properties, and morphology of r‐PVC/CPS composites was investigated. The result shows that the incorporation of CSP filler within polymer indicated, the change in physical with enhancement in mechanical properties such as tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, impact strength, and surface hardness properties. Meanwhile, the density and water absorption of composites has been increased as the filler content in the r‐PVC matrix increases. The morphology study of composites indicates poor interfacial interaction as an increase in CSP content in the composites. The marginal improvement in thermal stability of prepared composite also increased with 20 wt% of CSP content and analyzed by performing differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry analysis. This study, therefore, shows the potential of CSP filler in r‐PVC as an alternative particulate material for the development of a new polymer matrix composite.