Abstract
The main aim of this paper is to present the research findings which come out from the experimental determination of the influence of input raw material properties and composition on the water absorption of hay-plastic composites (HPC). During the HPCs production, important raw material parameters such as hay sawdust particle size, hay/plastic concentration ratio or type of plastic matrix can be recognized. In this research study, the aim was to produce HPCs of an acceptable and competitive level of quality which is determined from the final mechanical properties of HPCs. Particle size of hay sawdust used for production of HPC has significant influence on mechanical properties of composites and also on other important properties (water absorption, hardness, frost resistance, etc.). The paper deals with the determination of the impact and the relationship between the input hay sawdust particles sizes, hay/plastic concentration ratio and water absorption of composites. By side intention of authors is to determine the possibilities of waste raw materials usage. The experimental research findings were obtained using a semi-operational injection molding press where the injection is provided by a working screw. As the input raw material, meadow hay, HDPE plastic matrix and recycled HDPE, represented by lids from PET bottles, was used. The effect of the input hay sawdust particle size on water absorption was determined according to a combination and default levels of hay/HDPE concentration ratio, using recycled HDPE instead of virgin HDPE and particle size of hay sawdust.
Highlights
To improve the physical and mechanical properties of products made from biomass-plastic composites, fillers are used
Our experiment aims to investigate the effects of raw material properties
This figure shown this effect at composites produced from the virgin high-density plasticethylene (HDPE) matrix and from the recycled HDPE
Summary
To improve the physical and mechanical properties of products made from biomass-plastic composites, fillers are used. This is why there is increasing interest in organic fillers such as wood, straw, corn stalks, or rice husks replacing inorganic fillers. Due to their easy recycling and ecological benefits, the development of renewable raw materials composites has been a major success. Natural fibers can be recycled, are carbon dioxide neutral, and are readily available in large quantities Migneault et al (2009), Kuo et al (2009) The scope of use of biomass-plastic composites (BPCs) today is mainly in the automotive, engineering and electrical engineering industries.
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