Dynamic mechanical behavior of short PET and short glass fiber reinforced waste polyethylene composites

Abstract

In this study, short PET and Glass fibers have been used to reinforce waste polyethylene (WPE) and neat high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrices for studying their dynamic mechanical behavior. The composites were prepared in a Brabender Pasticorder at 180°C and then compression molded to prepare the test samples. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) of the composites was carried out over a temperature sweep from −50°C to +100°C by varying the fiber loading. The storage modulus (E′) and loss modulus (E″) of WPE as well as neat HDPE short fiber composites increased with increase in the fiber loading. Grafting with Maleic Anhydride (MAH) of the WPE matrix enhanced further the E′ and E″ values significantly. The influence of such modification on the storage modulus, loss modulus and tan 5 peak of the composites at 50 wt.% fiber loading revealed that adhesion between the MAH-g-WPE matrix and the short fibers is enhanced because of interfacial interaction. An attempt has been made to correlate the dynamic mechanical behavior of the composites with their crystallinity.