Mechanical Properties of Silane-Treated Eggshell Powder on Unsaturated Polyester Composite

The unsaturated polyester (UPE) filled silane-treated eggshell powder (ESP) composite was successfully prepared by hand lay-up technique. Different amount of treated ESP (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 php) were incorporated into UPE in order to produce UPE/ESP composite. The effect of treatment on ESP was evaluated by FTIR. The FTIR spectrum showed the removal of hydroxyl group at peak 3345.08 cm−1 after treated with silane. There is presence of silanol group at peak 1086 and 849.73 cm−1 that appear for treated ESP as well. Tensile and hardness tests were done to determine the effect of treated filler loading on mechanical properties of composite. Increased amount of ESP loading has gradually decreased the tensile strength and percentage elongation at break of the composites. However, tensile modulus and hardness has gradually increased with increased amount of ESP loading. Furthermore, composites with greater ESP loading exhibit more water absorption. Thus, treated ESP can be used as a potential filler in development of polymer composite.