The Development and Characterisation of Recycled Polyethylene Reinforced Particulate Cockle Shell for Automobile Application
Polymer reinforced composites were developed from recycled polyethylene briquettes (matrix) and particulate cockle shells (reinforcement) via compounding and compression moulding technique. The objective was to use urban wastes to produce low-cost material for engineering applications as an alternative to their disposal by incineration, which can cause atmospheric pollution. The composites were characterized for wear test using spin on disk, XRD, Universal Testing Machine for Mechanical Properties and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for microstructure. Results obtained were compared with the unreinforced polymer, the composites exhibited higher tensile strength and impact energy, while the hardness reduced. More so, above 20% filler addition, the flexural strength and Young Modulus decreased. The composite can be used where rigidity is a crucial performance requirement; at 20% weight cockle shell, the composites can be used for car inner door opener where rigidity is required, while at 50% additions, the developed composite will be suitable for use in car interior dashboard where strength and fracture toughness are the most crucial property demand. Furthermore, the morphological study of the RPE/CSP composite showed a high homogeneous polymer matrix’s cockle shell particle blend. In conclusion, the study has established that particulate cockle shell waste and recycled polyethylene are suitable materials to produce polymeric composite. This is a novel material development from waste to wealth for environmental sustainabilityKeywords— Cockle shells, Recycled Polyethylene, Composite, Particulate