Palm Kernel Shell Filled Recycled High-Density Polyethylene: Effect of Filler Loading
Palm kernel shells (PKS) filled recycled high density polyethylene (rHDPE) biocomposites were produced using melt mixing. The biocomposites were prepared on Brabender Plasticorder at temperature of 185 °C and rotor speed of 50 rpm by varying filler loading (0 to 40 phr). In this study, the effect of PKS loading on rheological properties and thermal stability of rHDPE/PKS were investigated. Rheological study of the biocomposites was carried out by means of capillary rheometer under temperature of 190 °C, 200 °C and 210 °C. Thermal properties of biocomposites were studied by using thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The rheological results showed that the flowability of the composite increased with increasing temperature. Meanwhile, the result of TGA showed that at higher PKS loading, rHDPE/PKS biocomposites had lower total weight loss. The thermal stability of the biocomposites was reduced due to the addition of filler loading.