A study on the effect of corn cob nano particles on the physico-mechanical properties of waste expanded polystyrene

The effect of the inclusion of Corn Cob Nano-Particles (CCNP) on the Physico-Mechanical Properties of Waste Expanded Polystyrene (WEPS) based composite was studied. Six samples with nomenclature A, B, C, D, E and F were prepared with the composition of WEPS and CCNP in the ratio 100/0g, 95/5g, 90/10g, 85/15 g, 80/20 and 75/25g, respectively. These samples were produced by compounding the composites on a laboratory two-roll mill and the properties of the composites were tested. 98.3% of the corn cob had particle distribution falling between 10 and 100 nm using a nanoparticle size analyzer. The impact strength and hardness of the composite increased as filler loading increased, while tensile strength decreased as filler loading increased. Sample A has an impact strength of 0.088 J/mm while sample F has impact strength of 0.243 J/mm. Sample A has a hardness value of 32.7 while sample F has a hardness value of 59.6 on shore D. Sample A has a tensile strength of 16.116MPa while sample F has a value of 6.091MPa. Sample B gave good water absorption and flammability properties. Conclusively, some mechanical properties of the WEPS have been improved by the reinforcing CCNP. The composite can be used for egg and fruit crates and other forms of packaging.