Renewable and cost-effective fillers for polymeric materials

Abstract

Polymer composites are provided, and more particularly, polymer composites of ground date pits disposed in a polymer matrix. The composites can be formed by a process of preparing reinforced polymer composites having a fibril melt fracture surface, including blending a mixture of date pit particulate with a thermoplastic polymer; melting the mixture; and forcing the melt through a die to produce the polymer composite having a fibril containing surface.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A process of preparing a reinforced polymer composite, comprising:
 solution blending a mixture of date pit particulate, a solution of a thermosetting polymer, and a coupling agent of di-phenylmethane; and   removing solvent from the solution.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforced polymer composite has a tensile strength varying no more than about 10% from that of the thermosetting polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the date pit particulate has an average size of between about 0.25 mm and 1.0 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the date pit particulate comprises particulate from fruit of  Phoenix dactylifera  L., variety khlaas or sekari. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the date pit particulate is present in an amount of between about 1 and about 40 wt % based on a weight of the composition. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the thermosetting polymer is selected from the group consisting of epoxies, vinyl esters, and polyesters. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the date pit particulate comprises particulate from fruit of  Phoenix dactylifera  L., variety sekari, present in an amount from 5 wt % to 30 wt % based on a weight of the composition. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the date pit particulate comprises particulate from fruit of  Phoenix dactylifera  L., variety khlaas, present in an amount from 10 wt % to 40 wt % based on a weight of the composition. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising blending a toughness modifier including ethylene/propylene grafted with maleic anhydride with the mixture. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising blending a toughness modifier including maleated polyolefins elastomers with the mixture.