Extruded poly(ethylene-co-octene)/fly ash composites – value added products from an environmental pollutant

Abstract

Fly ash (FA) is a by-product generated during combustion of coal and has caused serious environmental concerns. In an effort to utilize FA beneficially, we developed composites from an ethylene-octene random copolymer (EOC) and unmodified as well as surfacemodified class-F fly ash (MFA) by twin screw extrusion. Addition of 20 wt% of MFA to EOC improves its tensile strength by 150%; also, MFA improves stress at 100% and 300% strains (M100 and M300) of EOC. Thermal stability of EOC matrix is appreciably improved by the addition of either FA or MFA, while the melting behavior is not appreciably influenced by either. Fractography study reveals an improved adhesion between the EOC and MFA particles up to a filler loading of 20%, beyond which the adhesion between EOC and MFA is weakened causing a reduction in mechanical properties. The 'flammable' nature of EOC changes to 'self extinguishing' on addition of even 10 wt% of FA or MFA, as found out from LOI study.

Nanostructured Fly Ash as Reinforcement in a Plastomer-Based Composite: A New Strategy in Value Addition to Thermal Power Station Fly Ash

“…The incompatibility between the hydrophilic filler and hydrophobic matrix leads to a poor dispersion of the filler particles in the matrix (the formation of agglomerates) and a low degree of homogeneity of the composite as a whole. The presence of spherical particles with glassy surfaces leads to a weak interface formation between the matrix and filler [13]. M100 and M300, which are considered as indicators of good polymer-filler interaction in rubbers, remain unchanged at 1 and 3 % w/w of filler loading and suddenly increase at a loading of 5 % w/w.…”

“…Fly ash has been used widely as reinforcement in polymer matrix composites and it was earlier used in various polymers, such as polyetheretherketone [7], polypropylene [8,9], epoxy [10], poly(vinyl alcohol) [11], and high density polyethylene (HDPE) [12] and ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC) [13].…”

“…EOC has high filler loading capability, excellent electrical properties and weathering resistance. It is used in general purpose thermoplastic vulcanizates, wires and cables, and automobile applications [13]. Therefore, in this work, an attempt has been made to modify the surface of the FA mechanochemically by high energy ball milling in the presence of toluene and an anionic surfactant and the resultant FA was used as a nano-structured reinforcement in ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC) matrix.…”

Recent Trends in Fly Ash Utilization in Polymer Composites

“…FA has been used as reinforcement in polymer matrix composites widely and it was earlier used in various polymers, such as polyetheretherketone [6], polypropylene [7,8], epoxy [9], poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) [10], and high density polyethylene (HDPE) [11] and ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC) [12]. Alkadasi et al [13] modified the surface of FA by a silane and the modified FA was used in making a PMC in which the matrix was polybutadiene rubber.…”

“…Sengupta et al [7] prepared composites from recycled polypropylene and furfuryl palmitate-modified FA. Anandhan et al [12] developed composites from EOC and unmodified as well as surfacemodified class-F FA (MFA) by twin screw extrusion. Addition of 20 wt% of MFA to EOC improved not only the tensile strength, but, also the stress values at 100% and 300% strains of the latter.…”