Thermogravimetry Analysis of Epoxy and Unsaturated Polyester Filled with Some Agricultural Waste of Dates Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) and African Elemi (Canarium shweinfurthii) Particulate Composites

Investigation of the thermal stability of epoxy and unsaturated polyester filled with some agricultural waste of Dates palm (Phoenix dactylifera) and African elemi (Canarium shweinfurthii) pits particulate composites has been conducted at a heating rate of 10°C/min using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The study showed that the composites can withstand temperature up to 340°C in inert atmosphere before decomposition and thus had good thermal stability as increased in temperature had little effect on the composites before the onset of degradation. The results show that the composites prepared from both fillers showed high thermal stability because onset of degradation of date palm pits/epoxy (DTP/EP) commenced at about 340°C which was unusual for lignocellulosic material while atili pits/ unsaturated polyester (ATP/UP) was 320°C. Literatures have shown that most lignocellulosic filler degrades at their processing temperature below 250°C. Thus, both fillers could be used in engineering plastics.