Investigation of the Effects of Oyster Shell Powder Bio-Fillers on the Mechanical Properties of Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Oyster shells are majorly composed of large amounts of calcium with layers of viscoelastic proteins. However, due to their biodegradability, Oyster shells are regarded as waste materials. The shells can be combined with lightweight polymer matrices, like the widely used epoxy thermosetting polymer. This research seeks to utilize oyster shells as bio-fillers for reinforced epoxy composite manufacture. Oyster shell powder was, used as a reinforcement for an epoxy polymer matrix to create a new composite with superior mechanical properties. Oyster shell powders were used as natural fillers composites were developed using different ratios of the Epoxy resin (10%, 20%, and 30%) of oyster shell powder, employing the hand layup method. This was done to improve the hardness, tensile, and impact resistance properties of the epoxy composite. As a direct result of using the oyster shell powders as reinforcement materials infused within the epoxy polymer matrix. The results were critically analyzed and it was discovered that the addition of oyster shell powders led to the enhancement of the impact resistance of the developed composites, while the hardness and tensile strengths of the composites were slightly reduced compared to the control. The developed composites could be utilized as plastic-based ceiling boards for the construction industry.