Production of thermally cured polystyrene composite reinforced with aluminium powder and clay
Adewale George Adeniyi, Sulyman A. Abdulkareem, Kayode P. Odimayomi, Ebuka Chizitere Emenike, Kingsley O. Iwuozor
Abstract
Composite material development for industrial uses is a critical technology in solid waste management. In this study, we report, for the first time, the synthesis of thermally cured hybrid polystyrene composites by the reinforcement of polystyrene waste with aluminium powder and local clay. The composites were developed by hand layup technique and thermally cured in an oven for 3 hours at 200°C. The microstructural and thermal properties of the resulting composites were investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). FTIR analysis showed chemical interactions between the hybrid fillers by the appearance and disappearance of several peaks. The composites' surfaces were predominantly heterogeneous, with dazzling and glittering appearances, according to SEM analysis. The thermal property test revealed that increasing the clay component enhances the composites' heat capacity. The hardness analysis showed that the inclusion of fillers in doping amounts (6.25% each) produces composites with superior mechanical qualities. This is basically a preliminary materials characterization study. Future work should ascertain the electrical applications of the composites after establishing an optimal curing temperature.