Abstract
The effects of compatibilizer (maleic anhydride-graft-polyethylene) on the mechanical properties of pineapple leaf powder (PALP) filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were studied. HDPE and PALP composites in the presence, or absence of the compatibilizer, maleic anhydride -graft- polyethylene (MA-g-PE) were prepared by injection moulding technique. The filler (PALP) contents investigated were 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 wt%, while the MA-g-PE content was 3 wt% of the filler content for each formulation. The result of the mechanical tests carried out on the HDPE/PALP composites showed that the tensile strength, tensile modulus, abrasion resistance, and hardness of the composites increased as the filler content increases both in the presence, or absence of the compatibilizer (MA-g-PE) for all the filler contents investigated, while the elongation at break (EB) for PALP/HDPE composites was found to decrease as the filler content increases both in the presence, or absence of MA-g-PE for all the filler contents investigated. It was also observed that PALP/HDPE composites in the presence of MA-g-PE exhibited better mechanical properties than that of PALP/HDPE composites in the absence of MA-g-PE for all the filler contents investigated. The present study has proved that the mechanical properties of PALP/HDPE composites can be enhanced by incorporating a compatibilizer (MA-g-PE) into their formulations. This is so because the chemical composition of the compatibilizer (MA-g-PE) allows it to react with the fibre surface, thereby forming a bridge of chemical bonds between the fibre and matrix.
Highlights
Studies on the use of natural fibres as replacement to man-made fibres in fibre-reinforced composites have increased and opened up further industrial possibilities
It was observed that the tensile strength of the compatibilized composites was higher than that of the uncompatibilized ones for all the filler contents investigated
The determined chemical composition of pineapple leaf powder showed that it contains cellulose and holocellulose, both polar groups which are capable of bonding with MA-g-PE for improved adhesion in composites
Summary
Studies on the use of natural fibres as replacement to man-made fibres in fibre-reinforced composites have increased and opened up further industrial possibilities This is due to their (natural fibres) high performance in terms of mechanical properties, significant processing advantages, low cost, environmental friendliness, biodegradable, low density, and renewability [1]. In this new era of technology, availability of bio-based composites offers the opportunity for environmental gains, reduced energy consumption, light weight, insulation and sound absorption properties, reduction in volatile organic emissions, and reduction in the dependence on petroleum based and forest product based materials. This has led to certain undesirable composite properties such as low tensile strength, low SciPress applies the CC-BY 4.0 license to works we publish: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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