Effect of ignimbrite powder on the mechanical and thermal properties of rotomolded polypropylene composites

Abstract

This work assesses the possibility of producing composite parts by rotational molding with the blend of polypropylene and silica-based dust, produced as a waste in the extraction of the volcanic stone in the quarries of Gran Canaria island. After obtaining the composite with 5, 10, 20 and 30% w/w loading, by simple dry blending, the parts were characterized to determine the mechanical (tensile, flexural and impact strength) and thermal (by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry) properties. The particulate material and the polymer-reinforcement interaction were also studied by microscopy.