Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Fiber Reinforced High Density Poly(Ethylene) Composites: Melting and Crystallization Behavior

Abstract

In the present study, high density poly(ethylene) (HDPE)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fiber composites were prepared via melt blending technique using a co-rotating twin screw extruder (TSE). The effect of four different PVA fiber concentrations (i.e. 0, 5, 10, 20 wt%) on the melt and crystallization behavior of the HDPE/PVA fiber composites were investigated. The surface morphology of the composites was analyzed by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Whereas, the melt and crystallization behavior of the composites were analyzed by a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The SEM analysis on the cryo-fractured surface of the HDPE/PVA fiber composites exhibited that the PVA fibers were well blended/distributed in the HDPE matrix. Additionally, the DSC test results showed that the addition of PVA fiber in the HDPE matrix did not significantly change the melting peak temperature (Tm) of the composites. Furthermore, a slight decrease of the crystallization peak temperature (Tc) can be observed when the PVA fiber was incorporated in the HDPE matrix, which indicated a weak nucleation ability of the PVA fibers in the HDPE crystallization process. The same trend was also observed for the crystallinity index (Xc). The crystallinity index of the composites decreased with increasing PVA fiber loadings.