Evaluation of mechanical performance and water absorption properties of modified sugarcane bagasse high-density polyethylene plastic bag green composites

2021 ◽  
pp. 096739112110490
Author(s):  
Ruey Shan Chen ◽  
Yao Hsing Chai ◽  
Ezutah Udoncy Olugu ◽  
Mohd Nazry Salleh ◽  
Sahrim Ahmad

Enormous amounts of plastic wastes are generated worldwide and the approaches related to plastic recycling or reusing have become the research focus in the field of composite materials. In this study, green composites were prepared via melt-blending method using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sourced from plastic bags as a matrix and sugarcane bagasse (SCB) fiber as reinforcing filler. The effects of fiber loading (5, 10 and 15 wt%) and fiber modification on the mechanical and dimensional stability (weight gain by water absorption) properties of the green composites were investigated. Results showed that the inclusion of SCB fiber into recycled HDPE matrix increased the composite stiffness but decreased the mechanical strength and resistance to water absorption. With the fiber modification through alkali treatment, the mechanical strength was remarkably improved, and the modulus and water absorption of the composites were found to be reduced. From the finding, it can be concluded that the prepared green composites free of coupling agent could add value to the plastic and agricultural wastes, and serve a potential candidate to replace some conventional petroleum-based composites.

Author(s):  
Abdulmumin Adebisi ◽  
Tajudeen Mojisola ◽  
Umar Shehu ◽  
Muhammed Sani Adam ◽  
Yusuf Abdulaziz

In-situ synthesis of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced groundnut shell particulate (GSP) composite with treated GSP within the range of 10-30 wt% at 10 wt% has been achieved. The adopted technique used in the production of the composite is melt mixing and compounding using two roll mills with a compression moulding machine. Properties such as hardness, tensile strength, impact energy and water absorption analysis were examined. The result revealed that addition of GSP increases the hardness value from 22.3 to 87 Hv. However, the tensile strength progressively decreased as the GSP increases in the HDPE. This trend arises due to the interaction between neighbouring reinforced particulate which appears to influence the matrix flow, thereby inducing embrittlement of the polymer matrix. It was also observed that water absorption rate steadily increased with an increase in the exposure time and the absorbed amount of water increases by increasing the wt% of the GSP. Analysing the obtained results, it was concluded that there were improvements in the hardness, tensile strength, impact energy and water absorption properties of the HDPE-GSP polymer composite when compared to unreinforced HDPE. On these premises, GSP was found as a promising reinforcement which can positively influence the HDPE properties of modern composites.


2018 ◽  
Vol 773 ◽  
pp. 94-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venitalitya Augustia ◽  
Achmad Chafidz ◽  
Lucky Setyaningsih ◽  
Muhammad Rizal ◽  
Mujtahid Kaavessina ◽  
...  

The trend of using natural fibers as green filler in the fabrication of polymer composites is increasing. One of these natural fibers is date palm fiber (DPF). Date palm fiber is considered as agricultural waste in certain areas, such as Middle East countries. Therefore, the utilization of this fiber in the composites fabrication is an interesting topic of research. In the current study, composites were prepared by melt blending DPF with high density polyethylene (HDPE). Five different DPF loadings were studied (i.e. 0, 5, 10, 20, 30 wt%). The effect of the DPF loadings on the mechanical properties and water absorption behavior of the composites were investigated. The tensile test result showed that tensile strengths of all the composites samples were all higher than the neat HDPE with the maximum improvement was achieved at the DPF loading of 5 wt% (i.e. DFC-5), which was about 19.23 MPa (138% higher than the neat HDPE). Whereas, the flexural test result showed that the flexural strength of the composites slightly increased compared to that of the neat HDPE only until 5 wt% DPF loading (i.e. DFC-5). Afterward, the flexural strength of the DFC-10 was equal to that of the neat HDPE, and decreasing with further increase of DPF loadings. Additionally, the water absorption test result showed that the water absorption rate and uptake of water (at equilibrium) increased with the increase of DPF loading.


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