Study of some mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester filled with the seed shells of sunflower and water-melon

Abstract EN

In this research, the effect of sunflower and water-melon seed shells powder on some mechanical properties of unsaturated polyester thermoset, that comprised each of bending modulus, flexural strength, impact strength, compressive strength and hardness were studied.

The seed shells were collected and milled by electrical mill, the set of sieves were employed to get on seed shell powder by the suitable size.

The seed shell powder was added to unsaturated polyester from 5 wt % to 25wt % and then bending, impact, compression and hardness tests were carried out for prepared specimens.

The results showed that the flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, hardness and compressive strength increased with increasing of the shells powder percent.

The flexural strength was (37.99 MPa) for pure unsaturated polyester, while was (45.26 MPa) at percent of powder (25 wt %).

It was observed that the impact strength decreased with increasing of powder percent.

The impact strength was (8.24 kJ / m2) for pure unsaturated polyester, while was (3.77 kJ / m2) at percent of watermelon seed shells powder 25 wt %.