Impact of process parameters and coupling agent on the thermal stability of argan nut shell composites

Abstract

This study evaluates the thermal stability of polypropylene reinforced with argan nut shell particles. Improving thermal stability is crucial for enhancing material performance and durability. A full factorial design of experiments (DOE) was used to systematically evaluate the effects of extrusion parameters (temperature, speed) and material composition (filler content, coupling agent) on thermal stability. The DOE method proved effective in identifying the optimal conditions and revealed that the inclusion of a maleic anhydride coupling agent significantly improved the thermal degradation behavior, while high extrusion temperatures negatively affected it. The final elaborated composite using the optimal parameters showed enhanced thermal stability. These findings demonstrate the method usefulness in optimizing natural fiber-reinforced composites for better thermal performance.