Property evaluation of nanostructured fly ash-reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene nanocomposites

Fly ash, a waste generated from thermal power plant, can be used as reinforcing agent for polymer composite applications due to its fine particle size and abundant availability. This article highlights the experimental findings of modification of fly ash to convert its size from micro to nano and its nanocomposites preparation through melt blending technique based on acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) as matrix material. The nanostructured fly ash (NFA) developed through mechanical milling is characterized to understand its viability toward the filler material in polymer composites. The study showed that the NFA produced after 40 h of milling has a broken rougher surface with improved amorphous nature. Further, a detailed study on the properties of ABS nanocomposites reinforced with NFA has been conducted. ABS/NFA composites at 7 wt% loading have showed better thermomechanical properties. These results are further supported with the fractured surface analysis of nanocomposite using various morphological techniques. The outcome of this study suggests the potential use of nano fly ash to develop sustainable polymer nanocomposites for high-end industrial applications.