DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v27i3.464

Keywords: Epoxy; Pistacia vera L; bio-filler; glass fiber; composite

Abstract

The rising demand for sustainable composites has propelled research into agricultural waste as eco-friendly fillers. This work assesses the possible use of Pistacia vera L. (pistachio) shell powder (PBF) as a bio-filler in glass fiber-reinforced epoxy (GFRE) composites, so evaluating its effect on mechanical properties over mass fractions from 0% to 2%. Using compression moulding, composites were created; ASTM criteria were used to test tensile, flexural, and impact strengths. The findings showed a subtle balance: tensile and impact strengths were highest at 1.0% PBF (314 MPa and 36.1 J/cm², respectively), whereas flexural strength steadily dropped with rising PBF content. Higher loadings (>1.0%) caused particle agglomeration and interfacial weaknesses, so compromising performance. Though thorough optimization is crucial to minimize trade-offs in flexural resistance, this work emphasizes the possibility of pistachio shells as partial substitutes for synthetic fillers.The rising demand for sustainable composites has propelled research into agricultural waste as eco-friendly fillers. This work assesses the possible use of Pistacia vera L. (pistachio) shell powder (PBF) as a bio-filler in glass fiber-reinforced epoxy (GFRE) composites, so evaluating its effect on mechanical properties over mass fractions from 0% to 2%. Using compression moulding, composites were created; ASTM criteria were used to test tensile, flexural, and impact strengths. The findings showed a subtle balance: tensile and impact strengths were highest at 1.0% PBF (314 MPa and 36.1 J/cm², respectively), whereas flexural strength steadily dropped with rising PBF content. Higher loadings (>1.0%) caused particle agglomeration and interfacial weaknesses, so compromising performance. Though thorough optimization is crucial to minimize trade-offs in flexural resistance, this work emphasizes the possibility of pistachio shells as partial substitutes for synthetic fillers.