The effect of nco-polyol on mechanical properties, morphology and water absorption of low density polyethlene / water hyacinth fiber (Eichhornia crassiper) composites

Abstract

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) / modified water hyacinth fiber (WHF) composites have been prepared by melt blending. All the composites were characterized by tensile test, water absorption behavior, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The result indicated that LDPE / WHF composites with NCO-polyol as a coupling agent show higher values of tensile strenght, Young's modulus and water absorption resistance than LDPE / WHF composites without NCO- polyol. The micrographs of SEM showed that the WHF were more widely dispersed in the LDPE matrix with the addition of the NCO-polyol as a coupling agent.