STUDY OF THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF WALNUT/PISTACHIO SHELLS BASED EPOXY COMPOSITES

Abstract

In this Project work, WALNUT & PISTACHIO shells were used as a reinforcement to increase the mechanical properties of Bisphenol-A based Epoxy resin. First sample of neat Epoxy, was synthesized and was then reinforced using pistachio/walnut shell based filler along with transition metal salt (Cu). Finally reinforced epoxy composites were analyzed on the basis of their mechanical properties. Mechanical test showed the excellent improvements in mechanical properties of the composites prepared using pistachio/walnut based filler and further enhancement in mechanical properties was observed upon incorporation of transition metal salt. In this work, synthesize composite samples have been analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Thermo-gravimetric analysis, tension test and compression test. Results shows the significant improvement in tensile, compression and load bearing capacity of walnut/pistachio shell reinforced Epoxy composite.

In today´s world, composites materials are replacing the traditional material attributed to their high stiffness, low thermal expansion and high strength to weight ratio. However the use of natural filler as a reinforcement in composite can result in enhancement of properties such as reduced weight, lesser density and lower cost.

The synthesized composites samples were tested as per ASTM standards to evaluate mechanical properties i.e. tensile strength and impact strength. The result of tests shows that walnut and pistachio based hybrid composite was far better mechanical properties than pure walnut/pistachio filler reinforced composite under mechanical loads. However it was observed that the incorporation of transition metal in walnut shell and pistachio shell based composites can further enhance their mechanical properties.