The effect of mechanical properties of sylanized durian husk filled rHDPE biocomposites

Abstract

This study focused on the utilization of Durian husk (DH) as natural filler in recycled high density polyethylene (rHDPE) composites. The preparation of both untreated and treated rHDPE/DH biocomposites at different filler loading used Z-blade mixer and hot pressed using compression molding machine. Both untreated and treated rHDPE/DH was characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), tensile test, morphology test and water absorption test. FTIR analysis for treated DH not clearly showed the effect of 3- aminopropyltrimethoxysilane after treatment due to weak interaction of 3- aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and DH. Tensile strength showed fluctuate trend and elongation at break of untreated rHDPE/DH proved to get decreased as increasing filler loading. However, modulus of elasticity increased as filler loading increased. Morphology of untreated rHDPE/DH showed a brittle fracture. Untreated rHDPE/DH water absorption test showed an increasing treand as filler loading increased with increasing immersion of time. The rHDPE/DH composite treated with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTS) showed a fluctuate trend on both tensile strength and elongation at break result. But, modulus of elasticity for treated rHDPE/DH remains increased as increasing chemical composition. Morphology studies for treated rHDPE/DH indicated that the fracture way of the composite also in brittle and some agglomeration of DH appeared on surface.