Optimization and characterization of the properties of treated avocado wood flour-linear low density polyethylene composites

Abstract

The research was carried out to investigate the optimization of surface modification for avocado wood flour (ACWF) and the characterization of the treated and untreated of avocado wood flour–linear low density polyethylene composite (ACWF-LLDPE). The variation of treated filler on the mechanical and water sorption properties was investigated. The untreated and treated ACWF-LLDPE composite was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Central Composite design of response surface model (RSM) was used to forecast the mechanical and water sorption properties of ACWF-LLDPE composite. The properties of ACWF-LLDPE composite was statistically analysed and found to be significant. The optimal treatment was particle size of 100 mesh and filler content of 22.97%. At optimum particle size and filler content, the mechanical properties were 24.972 MPa tensile strength (TS), 6.195% elongation (E), 0.863 GPa tensile modulus (TM), 62.664 MPa flexural strength (FS), 0.809 GPa flexural modulus (FM), 699.918 Pa Brinell hardness (BH), and 91.619 kJ/m2 impact strength (IM). The corresponding water sorption (WS) at this condition was 3.338%.