Abstract

The rheological behavior of composites made with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and different agro fiber by-products such as corncob (CCF), Rice hull (RHF), Flax shives (FSF) and Walnut shell (WSF) flour of 60 - 100 mesh were studied. The experimental results were obtained from samples containing 65 vol.% agro fiber and 3 wt.% lubricant. Particle sizes distribution of the agro fibers was in the range of 0.295 mm to ?0.125 mm. SEM showed evidence of complete matrix/fiber impregnation or wetting. The melt rheological data in terms of complex viscosity (η*), storage modulus (G'), loss modulus (G), and loss tangent (tanδ) were evaluated and compared for different samples. Due to higher probability of agglomeration formation in the samples containing 65 vol.% of agro fillers, the storage modulus, loss modulus and complex viscosity of these samples were high. The unique change in all the samples is due to the particle size distribution of the agro fibers. The storage and loss modulus increased with increasing shear rates for all the composites, except for Walnut shell composite which exhibited unusual decrease in storage modulus with increasing shear rate. Damping factor (tanδ) decreased with increasing shear rate for all the composites at 65 vol.% filler load although there were differences among the composites. Maximum torque tended to increase at the 65 vol.% agro fiber load for all composites. Corncob and Walnut shell composites gave higher torque and steady state torque values in comparison with Flax shives and Rice hull composites due to differences in particle sizes distribution of the agro fibers.

Highlights

  • Wood-polymer composites (WPC) and in general natural fiber composites (NFC) have received considerable attention during the last decade

  • Maximum torque tended to increase at the 65 vol.% filler load for all the agro fiber high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites

  • Corncob and Walnut shell composites gave higher torque and steady state torque values when compared with Flax shives and Rice hull composites due to their differences in particle size distribution

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Summary

Introduction

Wood-polymer composites (WPC) and in general natural fiber composites (NFC) have received considerable attention during the last decade. Their popularity stems from the fact that natural fillers represent low-cost renewable reinforcements that enhance mechanical properties such as stiffness, strength, and heat deflection temperature under load [1]. Along with the improvements that wood fillers bring to the matrix polymer, their addition results in reduced ductility and poor impact resistance [3]. Addition of wood fillers to thermoplastic polymers is accompanied by a considerable increase in the melt viscosity [4,5,6,7]

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