The thermal properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/ palm kernel shells (PKS) composites

Abstract

The thermal properties of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)/ Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) composites were studied. The composites with and without compatibilizer were prepared and subjected to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) with scan temperature of 30ºC to 650ºC The thermal degradations of LDPE/PKS composites were the combined phenomenon of the degradation of LDPE and PKS. The higher filler loading tend to reduce the onset temperature as the PKS possessed lower degradation temperature compared to the neat LDPE. The presence of the filler in LDPE polymeric matrix improved the thermal stability of the composites. The addition of PEAA managed to form better interfacial bonding between the LDPE polymeric matrix and the PKS filler where higher onset temperature and lesser weight loss were observed for LDPE/PKS composite with PEAA.