Abstract
This study modeled some mechanical properties of clay powder filled recycled low-density polyethylene, rLDPE (rLDPE composite). The rLDPE is commonly referred to as used sachet water bags. The clay powder (filler) was obtained by sun-drying, grinding, and sieving. Two particle sizes of clay powder were used: −90 μm and −425 μm to represent the passing sizes at different clay powder contents of 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% which were thoroughly mixed with the recycled low-density polyethylene in an injection molding machine at 173°C. The results showed that the tensile strength, tensile modulus, hardness, flexural strength, fatigue strength and hardness increased with increase in clay powder contents. However, there were decreases in strain-at-breakage and shear strength as clay powder content increased. Model equations showed that smaller particle size enhanced the mechanical properties and equations generated can be used to predict the properties of composites at predetermined clay contents. Standard deviations obtained for the various mechanical properties show that the model, in most cases had the lowest degree of scatter (dispersion) than those of −90 μm and −425 μm. Hence, these models are suitable to predict outcomes of the properties of the clay filled recycled low-density polyethylene composites.
Highlights
IntroductionSeveral contributing factors such as high strength-to-weight ratio, inability to conduct electricity, corrosion resistance, high rate of load transfer and its economical process have led to the application of polymer composites in many fields such as engineering, aerospace, medical, automotive, agriculture, information and communication, domestic components and so on [1] [2]
Standard deviations obtained for the various mechanical properties show that the model, in most cases had the lowest degree of scatter than those of −90 μm and −425 μm
This is as a result of increase in surface area of the −90 μm clay particle size that increased the rate of attraction of clay powder to the recycled low-density polyethylene
Summary
Several contributing factors such as high strength-to-weight ratio, inability to conduct electricity, corrosion resistance, high rate of load transfer and its economical process have led to the application of polymer composites in many fields such as engineering, aerospace, medical, automotive, agriculture, information and communication, domestic components and so on [1] [2]. The composite of polyethylene is widely used in many fields due to its improvement in mechanical and physical properties unlike the pure polyethylene. Polyethylene composites are used in packaging, electrical component, storage of thermal energy, automotive, biomedical and aerospace [3]
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