Effects of Fillers of Animal Origin on the Physico-Mechanical Properties of Utility Polymer.

Abstract

The effects of some animal materials, viz feather, hide and hoof, as fillers incorporated into propylene matrix were investigated. Composites of two varying weight percentages of fillers in fixed weight of the polymer resins were produced for each filler type by the injection moulding technique. The physico-mechanical properties of the composites prepared showed positive effects in the properties such as, tensile strength, elongation at break, compressive strength, flexural strength and surface hardness. Polypropylene hide composite increased the tensile strength from 18MPa to 21MPa at 1% filler loading. The decrease in elongation at break was experienced for the three fillers incorporated into the propylene polymer matrix. The compressive and flexural strengths were seen to be enhanced by these fillers. These animal fillers gave polypropylene composites great strength by enhancing its mechanical properties with the hide filler showing the best reinforcing qualities. These materials of animal origin can be used as fillers and also as biodegradable fillers for polymer resins and mimic bio-plastics.