Effects of Aluminium Dross and Iron Filings Particulates on the Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Thermoplastic (Nylon) Matrix Composites

Year 2019, Volume: 2 Issue: 2, 86 - 99, 14.02.2020

Stephen Durowaye , Babatunde Bolasodun , Catherine Kuforiji , Kingsley Odina

Abstract

Utilisation of waste as filler in the production of polymer matrix composites for properties enhancement and solving the menace of environmental pollution has been explored in this study. 5 – 25 wt. % of 300 g of ground aluminium dross and iron filings with an average particles size of 50 µm were used to reinforce thermoplastic (nylon) matrix by casting at room temperature (270 C). Microstructural, water absorption, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, hardness and impact energy tests were carried out on the developed samples. The microstructure of the samples revealed a uniform distribution of the reinforcements within the thermoplastic matrix with different morphology of the phases in the composites. The results showed that the hybrid composite exhibited the lowest water absorption of 0.23 %. It also exhibited the highest tensile strength and Brinell hardness number (BHN) of 1.83 MPa and 12.84 BHN respectively at 15 wt. % filler addition. The strong adhesion/bonding between the reinforcing particulates and the thermoplastic (nylon) matrix contributed to the reduction in the water absorption and enhancement of the tensile strength and hardness of the composites. The decrease in the mechanical properties of the composites could be due to poor dispersion of the particulates in the matrix resulting to weak bonding/adhesion of particulates to the matrix. The results indicated that these composites have potential for engineering applications and their development will go a long way in reducing/mitigating environmental pollution.

Keywords

Polymer composites, thermoplastic (nylon) matrix, aluminium dross, iron filings, mechanical Properties

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