High Performance Recycled Polypropylene Composites Reinforced with Corn Cob Pith Powders

Abstract:

The Philippines is facing environmental challenges due to the increasing plastic waste and crop residues. To address this issue and enhance the country's economy while ensuring sustainability, research and the effective development of waste utilization strategies are paramount. This study focuses on the fabrication, characterization, and testing of fiber-polymer composites using corn cob pith particles and recycled polypropylene. Corn cob pith particles (CCP) at varying filler loadings (5, 10, and 15 wt.%), recycled polypropylene (RPP), and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) were combined using a single screw extruder. As a result, the incorporation of CCP particles demonstrated a significant increase in flexural strength, flexural modulus, and tensile modulus with highest values reaching 21.88 MPa, 437.19 MPa, and 239.61 MPa, respectively. The significant increase in flexural strength and flexural modulus was observed at 10% loading, for tensile modulus it was at 15% loading. On the other hand, tensile decreased with the lowest value of 19.24 MPa at 15% loading. Moreover, the composites exhibited better thermal stability than RPP. Furthermore, the FTIR peaks located at1033 cm⁻¹ and 3340 cm⁻¹ confirm the incorporation of CCP particles into the RPP matrix. Overall, adding CCP particles to RPP, using a compatibilizer, enhanced the stiffness and rigidity of the composite, as well as its fiber-polymer adhesion. Industries can utilize the composite in applications requiring stiffness and rigidity.

• Periodical: Solid State Phenomena (Volume 386)
• Pages: 33-44
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-vNO1bB
• Online since: March 2026
• Authors: Sigrid Maestro*, Blessie A. Basilia, Menandro C. Marquez
• Keywords: Composites, Corn Cob Pith, Flexural Strength, Maleic Anhydride Grafted Polypropylene, Recycled Polypropylene

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