Investigation of the mechanical behavior of recycled polypropylene-based composite materials filled with waste cotton and pine sawdust

Abstract

Composite materials are produced synthetically with a matrix material and a filler or
reinforcement to provide the desired properties. In composites, synthetic fillers are often
preferred. Natural fibers and fillers, on the other hand, are now preferred over synthetic
fillers. These materials can be found in polymer matrices as reinforcement and fillers.
Composite materials made from natural materials are replacing traditional materials in
the industry for many reasons, including easy processing, lightness, and low cost.
In this study, the usability of pine wood sawdust and cotton together in polymer matrix
composites was investigated. Pine sawdust is a product that emerges as waste, especially
in the furniture industry. On the other hand, cotton has a wide area of use in the textile
industry and is also obtained as a waste product. Recycled Polypropylene is used as a
matrix material due to its intense use in industry. Pine sawdust was prepared using a sieve
in the size of 0-250 microns. Since the waste cotton is in different sizes, it was cut to be
1 cm to have certain sizes. Composite materials were produced by adding pine sawdust
and textile waste to recycled Polypropylene at different ratios. Composite samples were
prepared by injection molding method. The physical properties of the samples such as
tensile, impact, hardness and water absorption properties were investigated. SEM images
of the fracture surfaces were analyzed. As a result of the study, it was evaluated that pine
sawdust and waste cotton would be used in polypropylene-based composite applications.