The effect of alkaline treatment on tensile properties, swelling behaviour and morphology properties of low density polyethylene/natural rubber/water hyacinth fiber composites

Abstract

The effects of alkaline treatment on tensile properties, swelling behaviour and morphology properties of low density polyethylene / natural rubber / water hyacinth fiber composites were studied. The LDPE/NR/WHF and LDPE/NR/WHFNaOHcomposites were prepared using a BrabenderPlasticorder at 160oC and rotor speed of 50 rpm for 6 minutes. LDPE / NR / WHFNaOH composites exhibit higher tensile strength, Young’s modulus and elongation at break but lower molar sorption than LDPE/NR/WHF composites. The SEM morphology of LDPE/NR/WHFNaOH compositesdisplaysbetter interfacial adhesion between water hyacinth fibers (WHFNaOH) and LDPE/NR phases than LDPE/NR/WHF composites.