Characterization of the extruded polypropylene filled with cement kiln dust composite

Abstract

Cement kiln dust (CKD), with different ratios (10, 20, and 30%), has been used as a filler for polypropylene (PP) thermoplastic forming the compound under study by the extrusion technique. The aftereffect of increasing CKD dosage on structural, mechanical, physical, and electrical properties of the neat PP has been investigated. Infrared (IR) spectra and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) proved that the mixture was physically blended. The mechanical characteristics like tensile strength, elongation% at break, besides the Izod impact decreased from 22.33 to 16.33 MPa, from 6.33 to 4.33, and from 52.33 to 34.70 J/m ‘respectively’, while the hardness increased from 77.20 to 83.56 Kg/mm2 with increasing CKD%. Water absorption results showed that the PP absorbed more water because of the low adhesion and hydrophilicity of cement dust particles. Filling PP with CKD up to 20% enhanced its thermal stability as indicated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The electrical measurements showed that rising CKD% promoted the insulation properties of PP. To the best of our knowledge, the present PP-CKD composite has not been prepared previously which provides novelty to this research. Manufacturing this composite on the industrial scale enhances the environment (by reducing CKD damping), reduces the cost of PP production, and utilizes a useful application for one of the most harmful industrial wastes.