Mechanical properties evaluation and behaviour of cellulose-HDPE composite

Abstract

Cellulose is the most abundant material of all the available natural polymers. Cellulose is a very light weight material which shows good strength and stiffness in its base form. And it has the properties like bio degradability, easy availability, environmental-friendly and good mechanical properties. Cellulose is mainly used in making of papers and fibers. Apart from this cellulose is also used in making the bio polymer-based composites using different synthetic strategies. Here, in this project we are going to prepare a composite from cellulose and plastic. Generally, there are composites with low cellulose content are easily accepted and widely used. But we are going to prepare a composite with high Cellulose content. Cellulose is extracted by chemical process from plants. Then by using this extracted cellulose, a high cellulose content composite is made by combining with HDPE. Three different compositions of cellulose and plastic i.e., [Cellulose50%, HDPE50%], [Cellulose45%, HDPE45%], [Cellulose40%, HDPE60%] are being used. We also study the mechanical properties and water absorption properties of this component in detail by performing tests like Tensile load test, Compression load test, Shear load test, and Hardness. The main aim of this project is to study the mechanical properties and to display emerging applications of Cellulose-plastic Composites.