Effect of the type of fiber (coconut, eucalyptus, or pine) and compatibilizer on the properties of extruded composites of recycled high density polyethylene

Abstract

Because of the growing interest in recycling agro-industrial materials to address both environmental concerns and add value to products, this paper reports experiments to develop composites using recycled high density polyethylene and three lignocellulosic fiber powders. The composites were processed with and without compatibilizer by extrusion and characterized. The melt flow index, mechanical properties, and water absorption of composites with compatibilizer varied with the type of fibers, with composites having eucalyptus fiber showing the best results for flexural and compressive strength and water absorption. However, no significant gain in flexural and compressive strengths was observed in composites containing coconut fibers and those without compatibilizer. Screw-holding strength and hardness values were highest in composites containing coconut fibers. The mechanical properties can be explained based on morphology and fractographic studies of composites. Linear thermal coefficient values of all the composites were lower than those of the matrix due to the presence of fillers.