Effect of thermal and chemical treatment of olive waste on the mechanical properties of polypropylene random

To produce naturally eco-friendly materials, this study examines the mechanical properties of High-Performance Polypropylene Random (PPR), a novel material used in the piping industry and filled with olive waste (OW). The principal aim is to mitigate production expenses while concurrently addressing environmental apprehensions by integrating olive waste at varying proportions of 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt. %. Chemical and thermal treatments were administered to the particles to enhance adhesion between the filler and matrix. The results unveiled substantial enhancements in tensile strength and modulus of elasticity (MOE), reaching 28.5 MPa and 1.3 GPa at 40% loading, respectively, in comparison to untreated olive waste particles (21.9 MPa and 0.4 GPa). These improvements in mechanical properties stem from the formation of robust bonds between particles and matrix post-treatment, facilitating the transfer of stress from the matrix to the fillers. According to the investigation, the optimal proportion of OW to incorporate into the inner layer of PPR pipes is determined to be 30 wt. %. The integration of olive waste leads to a potential reduction in production costs by up to 16% in one pipe.