Alkali Treatment Effect on the Tensile and Impact Properties of Recycled High-Density Polyethylene Composites Reinforced with Short Cantala Fiber

Abstract

In this study, an environmentally friendly composite was prepared from cantala fiber and recycled high-density polyethylene. Alkali treatment was utilized to improve the fiber–matrix interface of cantala fiber. The alkali treatment was carried out with a 2% NaOH solution for periods of 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours. Various recycled high-density polyethylene composites reinforced with treated and untreated short cantala fiber were produced by hot press. The tensile and impact properties of the composites were examined to reveal the effect of alkali treatment. Changes in fiber–matrix bonding were investigated via composite fractography using scanning electron microscopy. A study of fiber morphology and other supporting tests, such as the fiber tensile test, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared microscopy were also carried out. The results show that the addition of alkali-treated fiber to recycled high-density polyethylene composites enhanced the composites’ tensile and impact performance: Tensile strength improved by 15.5% and impact strength by 24.8%.