Investigation of the mechanical properties of Coir fiber reinforced polyethylene composites

Abstract

In this research, Coir fibre reinforcement was added into a Polyethylene (PE) matrix. Polyethylene composites reinforced with Coir fibre were made using melt-mixing and solution-mixing techniques. Many fibres were severed during the melting and blending process. Optical microscopy was used to inspect the composite material for fibre damage as it was being made by melt mixing. Distribution of fibre lengths during melt mixing was predicted using a polynomial equation. The experimental analysis of the mechanical properties of Coir/PE composites was conducted using several theoretical models, including the Hirsch model, modification of rule of mixtures, and the parallel and series models. The tensile strength was also modeled based on the measurement angle with respect to the fibre orientation.