Effect of pistacia khinjuk shell and rapeseed straw particles on mechanical properties and thermal properties of polyester-based composites

Composite materials are widely employed across various industries due to their superior mechanical and thermal properties compared to metals, offering improved performance with reduced weight. Polyester-based composites, in particular, have gained attention for their versatility and ease of processi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sana Muhamadali, Rzgar Abdalrahman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Unviversity of Technology- Iraq 2025-06-01
Series:Engineering and Technology Journal
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Online Access:https://etj.uotechnology.edu.iq/article_188513_2c6137339fe3e7ba5e81998e6b7db060.pdf
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Summary:Composite materials are widely employed across various industries due to their superior mechanical and thermal properties compared to metals, offering improved performance with reduced weight. Polyester-based composites, in particular, have gained attention for their versatility and ease of processing, and their properties can be further enhanced by incorporating suitable fillers. In response to increasing environmental concerns, recent research has focused on natural fillers as sustainable alternatives, owing to their biodegradability, low cost, and minimal ecological impact. Despite growing interest, the combined application of underutilized bio-based materials, specifically Pistacia khinjuk (PK) shell particles and Rapeseed straw (RS) fibers within polyester matrices, remains largely unexplored. Addressing this gap, the present study investigates the mechanical and thermal properties of polyester composites reinforced with PK shell particles, RS particles, and hybrids. Fillers ranging from 53–300 µm were used, with PK content from 2 to 20 wt.% and RS at 2 wt.% and 5 wt.% in hybrid systems. Results indicate a 16.2% increase in tensile strength, reaching 40.81 MPa at 2 wt.% PK. In hybrid composites, the highest tensile strength of 37.97 MPa was observed at 2 wt.% RS + 2 wt.% PK. However, bending strength decreased with increasing filler content, while stiffness and thermal insulation improved. Thermal conductivity decreased to a minimum of 0.281 W/m.°C at 20 wt.% PK. SEM analysis revealed more uniform dispersion and stronger matrix adhesion of irregularly shaped PK particles compared to elongated RS fibers. Findings demonstrate that PK and RS are effective, sustainable fillers for enhancing polyester composite properties.
ISSN:1681-6900
2412-0758