Vehicle bumper fascia prototyping using sustainable nanocomposites

Abstract

Eggshells and date seeds are wastes which contribute to land pollution. Their conversions to useful materials are important to save the environment from the health hazards associated with rotten eggshells and possible impacts from the date seed wastes. This study focuses on conversion of eggshells and date seeds into reinforcing particles for producing sustainable polymeric and metallic nanocomposites for prototyping a vehicle bumper fascia. Eggshell nanoparticles were incorporated into low-density polyethylene up to 12 wt%. Metallic nanocomposites were produced using Al–Cu–Mg sourced from aluminium alloy scraps and date seed particles and then, heat treated. The developed nanocomposites were analysed chemically, structurally, and mechanically. The structural integrity of the polymeric nanocomposites was confirmed by the scanning electron microscope. Enhancements in impact energy, tensile and flexural strengths at 12 wt% of eggshell nanoparticle additions to the very low-density polyethylene are 1.5, 110.4 and 47.7 %, respectively. 1 wt% date seed particle reinforced Al–Cu–Mg that has highest impact energy after annealing treatment is selected for the mould parts fabrication for forming the bumper fascia. Property comparison of the produced polymeric nanocomposites with those of existing bumper fascia materials affirms that the tensile strength and impact energy of the nanocomposite that contains 12 wt% eggshell nanoparticles are suitable for the automobile bumper fascia. Hence, fabrication of the bumper fascia using the VLDPE/12 wt% eggshell nanocomposite was fruitful.