Effect of Pistachio Husks Powder Additive on Unsaturated Polyester Composites

Abstract

In this study, polyester composites reinforced with pistachio shells powder (P.) with an averagediameter (150 – 200 μm) with different weight ratios (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5%) wereprepared to the resin. The Shore D hardness, thermal conductivity (K), and the glass transitiontemperature (Tg) of the samples were examined. The results showed that the Shore D hardnessincreases with the increase of the reinforcement ratio and its maximum value is (87.55) at (2.5%P.) While the value of hardness at (0%) is (86.5). The thermal conductivity increases slightly withthe increase in the percentage of reinforcement and its maximum value is (0.213253 W/ m. K) at(2.5% P.), while the value of K at (0% P.) is (0.170264W/ m. K), but with this slight increase inthermal conductivity, polyester composites remain from the insulating materials. The minimum(Tg) of (UPE/ P.) composites was the value (113.898°C) at (2.5% P.). Polyester composites areused in wood paints, either in primitive finishes or final finishes.