Development and characterization of a recycled nylon fiber reinforced and nano-fly ash hybridized high impact performance polypropylene composite for sustainability

Abstract

The pursuit of a renewable and recyclable material to reduce carbon footprint is the need of the hour for a safe and secure future of flora and fauna. This study explores the reinforcement potential of pre-treated recycled nylon fiber (NF) with CaCl2, NaOH and silane in a polypropylene (PP) matrix. Silane coating over the fiber surface was confirmed from FTIR and surface morphology. Interfacial interactions among NF and PP were further strengthened by adding nano-structured cetrimonium bromide (CTAB) treated fly ash (FA). A positive hybridization effect of FA was observed on such hybrid composites, apparent from an increment of ∼29% in tensile, ∼49% in flexural, and ∼970% in notched Izod impact strength. FE-SEM analysis showed good dispersion and distribution of reinforcements into the base matrix, establishing excellent interfacial adhesion. DSC analysis showed an increase in crystallization temperature (∼125°C) and a decrease in melting temperature of all the composites, while TGA confirms a reduction in the activation energy of all the composites.

An investigation into performance properties of sustainable polypropylene composites reinforced with basalt fiber and fly ash

“…Moreover, if we compare the tensile strength of the other synthetic fiber reinforced polypropylene composites prepared and characterized in the past, the results reported in the current study are significantly superior. For instance, in the previous study when a similar BM was reinforced with recycled nylon fiber the highest tensile strength of 39.40 MPa was obtained 35 which is ~18% lower than the highest strength reported in the present study. In another previous study, Wang et al 40 used short glass giber (3–4.5 mm) and melt blended with polypropylene using different compatibilizer and β nucleating agent.…”

“…Comparatively, in the past Khan et al, 42 used 50 wt% E‐glass fiber mat to reinforce the PP matrix and demonstrated a flexural strength of 85 MPa only. Likewise, recycled nylon fiber reinforced BM has been reported earlier to possess a flexural strength of 53.60 MPa 35 . This demonstrates the superior reinforcing efficiency of BF and submicron particles of FA for the PP matrix.…”

“…Also, similar to observations related to tensile strength, Young's modulus of 2.50 GPa from this investigation was observed to be significantly higher when compared to earlier reported estimates (1.04 GPa) for recycled nylon fiber BM composites. 35…”

“…The investigation engages into an assessment of the performance of inorganic natural fiber reinforced polypropylene composite while having the same base matrix as used earlier in our previous studies. [30][31][32][33][34][35] Submicron particulate and CTAB treated FA was filled and hybridized with 10-20 wt% BF to form reinforced PP composite. An exhaustive investigation into tensile, flexural, impact, thermomechanical, thermal stability and microstructural analysis was performed with the help of universal testing machine, impact tester, thermogravimetric analysis, FE-SEM and ATR-IR, respectively.…”

“…Hence, the current work is an extension of the work performed earlier by us for studying organic natural fiber reinforced polymer composite. The investigation engages into an assessment of the performance of inorganic natural fiber reinforced polypropylene composite while having the same base matrix as used earlier in our previous studies 30–35 . Submicron particulate and CTAB treated FA was filled and hybridized with 10–20 wt% BF to form reinforced PP composite.…”