Development of polyester/eggshell particulate composites

The development of Polyester/Eggshell particulate composites has been carried out. Uncarbonized and carbonized eggshell particles were used as reinforcement in polyester matrix. 10 to 50 wt% eggshell particles at intervals of 10 wt% were added to polyester as reinforcement. The microstructural analyses of the polyester/eggshell particulate composites were carried out using SEM and EDS. The mechanical properties and density were carried out by standard methods. The results showed that the density and hardness values of the polyester/eggshell particulate composite increased steadily with increasing eggshell addition. The tensile strength increased from 15.182 N/mm² at 0 wt% eggshell addition to a maximum of 23.4 N/mm² at 40 wt% eggshell addition for uncarbonized eggshell; while it increased to a maximum of 28.378 N/mm² at 20 wt% eggshell addition for carbonized eggshell. Compressive strength increased steadily from 90.3 N/mm² at 0 wt% eggshell additions to a maximum of 103.6 at 50 wt% eggshell addition for uncarbonized eggshell and 116.5 N/mm² at 50 % eggshell addition for carbonized eggshell. Hardness value increased from 91 HR_F at 0 % eggshell addition to a maximum of 120.05 HRF at 50 wt% eggshell addition for uncarbonized eggshell and 149.45 HRF at 50 wt% eggshell for the carbonized eggshell. Flexural strength increased from 76.06 N/mm² at 0 wt% eggshell addition to a maximum of 97.06 N/mm² at 40 wt% eggshell addition for uncarbonized eggshell; however, it increased to a maximum of 106.66 N/mm² at 20 wt% eggshell addition for the carbonized eggshell. The impact energy also increased from 0.1 Joules at 0 wt% eggshell addition to a maximum of 0.35 Joules at 30 wt% eggshell addition for uncarbonized eggshell; it however increased to a maximum of 0.45 Joules at 20 wt% eggshell addition for the carbonized eggshell. Hence the development of polyester/eggshell particulate composites material with good mechanical properties and light weight which is relevant to the electronics, auto and building industries has been achieved.