Abstract
This study presents the composites prepared by melt blending based on high-density polyethylene, containing various amounts of kenaf fiber loadings and polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) in an internal mixer were prepared and investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to characterize both untreated and treated ke- naf fibers. A rheological study of the composites showed a high complex viscosity and dynamic shear storage modulus between untreated and treated composites and composites with compatibilizer. A mechanical test showed that the ten- sile strength and tensile modulus were optimal with 20% fiber loading but decreased with 30% fiber loading for both the untreated and treated composites. The composite with PE-g-MA showed an improved mechanical strength. This phenomenon is due to an increase in the interfacial adhesion between the fiber and matrix leading to an improvement in the compatibility of the blend. Treatment of the kenaf fiber improved in the mechanical and impact strengths in com- parison to the untreated kenaf composites. This behavior was supported by a morphology analysis of the fractured sur- faces revealed that strong interfaces were formed on addition of the compatibilizer.
Highlights
Great attention has been paid in recent years toward the development natural fibers for plastic reinforcement, the replacement of glass fibers, and use in other synthetic materials owing to an increasing demand for environmental friendly materials [1,2]
This study presents the composites prepared by melt blending based on high-density polyethylene, containing various amounts of kenaf fiber loadings and polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) in an internal mixer were prepared and investigated
The results show that both the High-density polyethylene (HDPE)/untreated kenaf fiber (UKF) and HDPE/treated kenaf fiber (TKF) samples were within the linear viscoelastic region
Summary
Great attention has been paid in recent years toward the development natural fibers for plastic reinforcement, the replacement of glass fibers, and use in other synthetic materials owing to an increasing demand for environmental friendly materials [1,2]. Biobased products can form the basis for sustainable and environmental friendly materials that can compete in markets currently dominated by petroleum based products [3,4]. These fibers offer several advantages including high specific strength and modulus, low cost, low density, renewability, biodegradability, easy fiber surface modification, wide availability and a relative nonabrasiveness [5]. Polyolefins have many applications in daily life and their consumption is continuously increasing These materials are used extensively for short-term applications such as packaging film, healthcare products, construction materials, automobile, parts, and agriculture and are often disposed off at waste sites [6]. Polymer blends and composites containing natural polymers as biodegradable additives (kenaf, jute, sisal, coir, flax, banana, wood flour, rice hulls, pulp and cellulose fibers) have been developed to reduce the lifecycle of compos-
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