Flexural properties of natural fiber filled high density Polyethylene (HDPE) composites

Abstract

Attempt has been made to combine the advantages of natural fiber and polymer. Composites based on high density polyethylene (HDPE) and two types of natural fiber were made through melt blending and compression molding. HDPE/pulp fiber (PF) and HDPE/bagasse fiber (BF) composites were prepared by using the Z-blade mixer at processing temperature of 190ºC and rotation speed of 35 rpm with different fiber loading varying from 0% to 15% by weight. A coupling agent, maleated anhydride polyethylene (MAPE) was added to improve the adhesion between HDPE matrix and fiber. HDPE/PF and HDPE/BF composites have been characterized from the point of view of flexural properties. Result showed that addition of both pulp fiber and bagasse fiber into HDPE matrix enhanced the flexural strength and flexural modulus of the resin. Both types of composites showed increasing flexural properties with increasing fiber loading. However, it was found that HDPE/pulp fiber composites exhibit higher flexural strength and flexural modulus than those of HDPE/bagasse fiber composites. Morphology studies of the fractured surface of the composites exhibit the failure mode of both HDPE/pulp fiber and HDPE/bagasse fiber composites transformed from ductile to brittle with increasing filler loading.