Tensile Properties and Thermal Analysis of Chemimechanical Pulp-reinforced HDPE Composites

Abstract

The tensile and thermal properties of chemimechanical pulp/high-density polyethylene composites made using virgin high-density polyethylene as the matrix polymer, chemimechanical pulp as reinforcing fiber, and maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene as compatibilizing agent were examined by assessing the tensile properties and thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicated that 2% compatibilized composites and uncompatibilized composites exhibited the highest and the lowest tensile strength values, respectively, while the tensile modulus is partially independent of compatibilizing agent. Using maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene increases composites’ failure strain and tensile energy absorption as well. Based on the TGA analysis during the manufacturing of the composites, blending and injection temperatures should be less than 230°C to prevent the chemimechanical pulp from decomposition.