Properties of biocomposites from waste seashells and poly(methyl methacrylate)

The paper presents the preparation of biocomposites from waste seashells as reinforcement and poly(methyl methacrylate), abbreviated as PMMA as the matrix. The used seashells belong to the snow‐white Bahamian species of tiger lucine (Codakia orbicularis) from the Island of Coco Cay. Seashells were grinded and homogenized with poly(methyl methacrylate) powder, with the seashell powder content ranging between 2 and 14 wt%, and finally hot pressed. Morphology of prepared composites was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, and it was determined that the particle distribution was homogenous with no agglomeration. Mechanical properties (microhardness, compressive strength, Young's modulus) of biocomposite materials produced from different amount of waste seashells in poly (methyl methacrylate) were determined and analyzed. The best overall combination of mechanical properties was achieved when 6 wt% of seashell particles below 50 μm size were added to poly (methyl methacrylate).