Mechanical Properties Of Calcium Carbonate Crystallization Of Chitin Reinforced Polymer

ABSTRACT Chitin whiskers and CaCO3 were reinforced with Polyacrylic acid. Mechanical and thermal properties were characterised. The effect of CaCO3 growth on the mechanical properties of chitin whiskers reinforced Polyacrylic acid indicated that better mechanical properties can be achieved at chitin content of 3 wt when compared with neat PAA. The growth of CaCO3 on CHWPAA composite increased the melting endotherm of CHWPAACaCO3 composite when compared with CHWPAA composite. As an indication of increase in thermal stability the final weight loss at the end of decomposition for all composites was between 20 and 37 far below the 78 for the CHWPAA composite and 84 for the pure PAA