Date Seeds Fiber Reinforced Low-Density Polyethylene: Effect of Stearic Acid on its Mechanical and Morphological Characteristics

Abstract

The effect of different content of steric acid (3, 6 and 9 wt.%) on the mechanical properies (tensile, flexural and impact properties) and morphology of linear low-density polyethylene / date seeds (LLDPE/DS) composites were evaulated in this research. The composites were produced by using extrusion followed by injuction molding process. Results presented that the addition of steric acid at 3 wt.% to the composite has shown highest tensile strength and elongation at break as compared to other treated samples. This is due to the improvement on the fiber surface in presence of SA. However, the tensile strength and elongation at break decreased thereafter treatment with 6% and 9% of SA. Furthermore, the flexural and impact properties have shown the same trend of the tensile properties, this was consistent with the results shown on SEM micrographs.