Abstract
The processing and characterization of polypropylene/eggshell composites was the main objective of this study. Natural source-derived calcium carbonate (CaCO3) was extracted from waste chicken eggshell and compounded with polypropylene polymer. The compound was molded using the Extrusion Compression Molding (ECM) process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis were conducted on the eggshell to characterize its constituents. The effects of filler loading, 30 wt.% eggshell and 30 wt.% eggshell with 5 wt.% of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) on the mechanical and thermal properties were studied. The addition of a small amount of MAPP during melt extrusion improved the dispersion and bonding of CaCO3 particles in polypropylene. 7.49% decrease in tensile strength, 35.51% enhancement in flexural modulus and 66.05% increase in notched Izod impact energy were obtained by adding 30 wt.% eggshell with 5 wt.% MAPP to polypropylene. Adding 30-wt % of eggshell filler and 5 wt.% MAPP to polypropylene delayed the flame propagation time by 99 seconds.