Minimally destructive assessment of biowaste-based polymer composites using nanoindentation and python image analysis

Composites manufactured from agricultural waste are being used more and due to rising demand for affordable, eco-friendly, and sustainable materials. This study investigates how aqueous glycerol pretreatment of agricultural waste affects nanoscale biocomposites’ surface mechanical characteristics. Internal mixing of chemically treated wheat straw (WS) with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and compression molding produced the composites. Nanoindentation and Python were used to analyze the submicron mechanical characteristics of composites produced from untreated and glycerol-treated WS. Using quasi-continuous stiffness mode, composites’ elastic modulus (Es), indentation hardness (H), and creep behavior were assessed. The results showed that 25 wt.% glycerol-treated WS improved composite hardness, elastic modulus, and creep. Indentation hardness and elastic modulus was increased by 60% and 25%, respectively, with 25% glycerol pretreatments compared to other composites. Composites reinforced with processed agricultural waste (25 wt.% glycerol) had the lowest creep rate and void fraction percentile. Results show that green solvent pretreatment of lignocellulosic waste and nanoindentation improve understanding of biocomposites’ nano-surface mechanical characteristics. This research introduces a novel method for efficiently converting agricultural residue into polymers as a synthetic fiber substitute and uses nanoindentation and Python to study the composites’ micromechanical properties for engineered applications.