Dynamic mechanical analysis on palm waste filled recycled thermoplastic composites

Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) on palm waste filled HDPE composite and recycled HDPE composite respectively. Basically, palm ash and palm slag were grinded and sieved to obtain coarse size and fine size. 10% of palm waste loading were incorporated into HDPE and recycled HDPE by using twin screw extruder. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) showed that palm ash consisted high amount of SiO2 while palm slag have higher amount of CaO than palm ash. Particle Size Analyzer demonstrated coarse size palm slag have the most precise and accurate particle size distribution. DMA results implied that fine size palm ash HDPE composite can stored more energy than coarse size palm ash HDPE composite. Then, coarse size palm slag filled recycled HDPE gave highest storage modulus. Meanwhile, recycled HDPE composite exhibited higher loss modulus than HDPE composite. Palm ash filled HDPE composite dissipated least energy. The role of palm waste could diminished the molecular movement in HDPE composite. Moreover, fine size palm ash encouraged energy dissipate in recycled HDPE. Lower tan δ value could be found on fine size palm slag filled recycled HDPE composite. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed physical entanglement occurred between coarse size palm slag with HDPE and recycled HDPE but it was not found in coarse size palm ash filled HDPE and recycled HDPE composite.