Investigating the effect of pressing temperature on the thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of nanocomposites made from recycled polyethylene, nanosilica, and wood flour

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of pressurized temperature on the thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of nanocomposites made from recycled polyethylene with the weight ratio of 50%. Nanosilica was applied at 3 levels (0, 4, 8 %) and wood flour had a weight ratio of 50%. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) went through multiple procedures. It was found that by increasing the nanosilica content, the tensile and flexural strength properties, the residual ash content, and the thermal stability increased along with a reduction in the tensile and flexural modulus and impact resistance. As the temperature increased, the tensile and flexural strength and modulus and the impact resistance decreased. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that samples with 8% nanosilica showed different polymerization than the wood flour particles.