Green composites based on high density polyethylene and recycled coffee gunny: Morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties

Abstract

In this study, recycled coffee gunny (RCG) was used to reinforce high density polyethylene (HDPE). Maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE) was added as a compatibilizer. Moreover, the RCG was chemically treated to enhance the compatibility between fiber and HDPE matrix. A series of RCG reinforced composites were prepared and the effects of MAPE and chemical modification of RCG on the mechanical and thermal properties of HDPE were investigated. The results of thermal and mechanical properties of composites revealed that the increments of heat deflection temperature, tensile strength, and impact strength of HDPE were 16[Formula: see text]C, 19.64% and 43.63% by the addition of modified coffee gunny, respectively. It reveals that the HDPE was reinforced with the coffee gunny, and thus can effectively reuse the discarded resources.