Influence of the addition chestnut shell to kaolin/polyester composites

Abstract

In this work, the fiber of the chestnut shells from the industrial food wastes, and 2 different kinds of kaolin were evaluated to reinforcement in the polyester composite to enhance the mechanical properties. The chestnut shell fibers were added to the polymer matrix during the composite manufacture with an increasing proportion from 3 -10 in volume% and kaolin standard loading as 3% was used. And also the control samples were produced only with chestnut shell fiber/polyester. The polymer composites were characterized by scanning electron microscope, thermogravimetry analysis. The results showed that the addition of increasing amount of chestnut shells fiber and kaolin affected the mechanical properties of the polymer composites. Generally, the flexural modulus, water absorption, and open porosities increased proportionately with the fiber quantity, whereas flexural strength, thermal stability properties changed inversely proportional to the chestnut shells fiber content.