Characterization of tamarind fruit shell power-reinforced virgin and recycled polypropylene-based 3D-printed composites

Polypropylene is widely used in the automobile, paint, and consumer product industries and is not biodegradable. Recycling polypropylene is essential to maintaining sustainability. When the polypropylene as a 3D filament is used to print a component, wrapping issue is created. Therefore, fewer articles have been published. In this study, virgin and recycled polypropylene was reinforced with tamarind fruit shell power (TFSP) as a filler to make the 3D composite filament and solution for wrapping issue was sought. The crystallite size of TFSP was 39.7 nm, and its thermal constancy was 230 degrees C. It also had a great crystallinity index of 43.6%. The exterior morphology of TFSPs was studied using an atomic force microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The results of flexural and tensile tests conducted on composites made of virgin and recycled polypropylene reinforced with TFSP showed that 3 wt% reinforcement is the optimal mix to produce better characteristics. An impact testing, it was found that 1.5 wt% reinforcement produces better results. All of the aforementioned findings unequivocally demonstrated that recycled polypropylene, with a tolerance limit of 15%, can be used in place of virgin polypropylene.

Automated summary

Polypropylene is widely used in various industries but is not biodegradable. Recycling polypropylene is crucial for sustainability. This study investigated the use of tamarind fruit shell powder (TFSP) to reinforce virgin and recycled polypropylene for 3D printing, addressing the wrapping issue. Results showed that a 3 wt% reinforcement was optimal for better characteristics, and a 1.5 wt% reinforcement produced better results in impact testing. These findings suggest that recycled polypropylene can be used as a substitute for virgin polypropylene within a tolerance limit of 15%.