Development of sustainable polyester biocomposites using Lansium parasiticum fruit shell powder and hemp chopped fibre: mechanical, wear, hydrophobic and flammability behaviour

In this present investigation, a new attempt was made to produce sustainable polyester-based biocomposites using Lansium parasiticum fruit shell powder and hemp chopped fibre. The main objectives of this investigation were developing biocomposite and studying its mechanical, wear, water absorption and flammability properties. The powder was produced from waste fruit shell via ball milling process whereas the fibre was used in as-received form. The biocomposites are prepared using a hand layup method where post-curing is applied at 110 °C at the end of the process. The results revealed that the addition of fibre and filler improved the mechanical properties. A maximum tensile and flexural strength of 98 MPa and 143 MPa were noted for composite having 3 vol% filler and 40 vol% of fibre. Similarly, the addition of filler into the resin reduced the wear coefficient as well as wear loss. A lowest sp. wear rate of 0.009 mm 3 /Nm was recorded for composite made with 5 vol% of filler. But the water absorption and flammability were found to be affected marginally upon cellulosic fibre and filler addition. Nonetheless, they are in acceptable range indicating better hydrophobicity and low flammability. As a verdict, the combination of hemp fibre and Lansium parasiticum fruit shell powder along with polyester resin could be a noteworthy combination to form biocomposites with less cost, more eco-friendly and sustainable and circular economy concerns. Moreover, this practice could create a habit of producing sustainable eco-friendly products from waste, thus reducing the severity of solid waste accumulation. These new generation waste-derived biocomposites could be used as functional working material in applications starting from domestic to high performance engineering sectors.