Determination of Some Technological Properties of Injection Molded Pulverized-HDPE Based Composites Reinforced with Micronized Waste Tire Powder and Red Pine Wood Wastes

Abstract

In this study, the effects of micronized waste tire powder (WTP) and red pine wood waste flours (RPF) concentrations on the properties of pulverized-high density polyethylene (P-HDPE) composites were investigated. Ingredients were first mixed in a high-intensity mixer, later passed through single screw extruder to produce extrudates and finally pelletized and dried before sample manufacturing using injection molding machine. Contrary to the fact that lignocellulosic materials increase the brittleness of composites, the presence of WTP improved hardness and impact properties of lignocellulosic-based composite by making them softer. Both WTP and RPF concentrations have significantly increased density, thickness swelling (TSW) and water absorption of composites. Rising percentage of RPF improved the flexural strength, flexural modulus, tensile strength and tensile modulus values of composites. Addition of WTP, on the other hand, reduced these values. Although the presence of WTP has slightly increased the elongations at break (EatB) values in neat-HDPE, it decreased the EatB values of the composites having RPF in it. Thermal degradation started at 275 °C and 360 °C for RPF and WTP, respectively. With the loading of both fillers in the p-HDPE matrix, melting temperature of composites and crystallinity ratio of the polymer was slightly changed. SEM images showed improved dispersion of RPF due to MAPE usage. Through this study, some technological properties of injection molded P-HDPE based composites reinforced with WTP and RPF were determined and potential utilization of WTP in lignocellulosic-based composites was demonstrated.