Composite fabrication from fat extracted limed fleshing: solid waste management in tannery

Abstract

In tannery, fleshing is the unavoidable solid waste which has negative effect on the environment. Fleshing contains fat, and protein.In this work, fat extracted fleshing was used for composite fabrication. After collecting limed fleshing, fat was extracted in water bath.The fat extracted fleshing was dried, ground,passes through 80-mesh and homogenized.For proper adhesion and bonding with fleshing powder, epoxy resin and hardener were mixed at various ratios and poured onto an aluminum sheetfor 24 h curing. The mechanical properties of the composite were investigated by tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young’s modulus. The composite was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for related functional groups and surface analysis. The investigation provided satisfactory information on the proper bonding of the fleshing powder and resin/hardener. The approach explores the valorization of he waste for managing solid waste in the tannery. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(3), 215-222, 2021