Characterization and morphological analysis of organic calcium carbonate filled polypropylene

The environmental issues caused by the usage of petroleum-based plastics have become a major concern these days. The depletion of the source is also being put into consideration for the use of the polymeric material. Besides improving the polymer properties, the use of waste substances will reduce environmental pollution. For this study, the CaCO₃ was derived from waste eggshell and used as fillers in a polypropylene matrix. The eggshell was subjected to grinding to obtain the powder form, the commercial form of CaCO₃. The compound was molded using the hot press machine after being mixed in an internal mixer. The samples were subjected to several characterizations and testing such as Fourier Transformation Infrared (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Tensile test. The effects of filler size of 20µm, 50µm, and 100µm at 30 wt.% eggshell powder contents on morphological and other properties were studied. The FTIR and XRD analysis identified the reaction between the filler and matrix. The tensile strength decreases with a decrease in particle size of the composites. The filler morphology and fractured surface of the composite were studied using SEM and determined to have well-dispersed particles with fibrillated fracture surface for 100 µm and 50 µm whi1e 20 µm have a smooth surface.