A Comparative Study of Modified and Unmodified High-Density Polyethylene/Borassus Fiber Composites

Journal article

Authors/Editors

Muzenda, Edison

Research Areas

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Publication Details

Author list: Maheswari CU, Reddy KO, Muzenda E, Shukla M, Rajulu AV

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group

Place: ABINGDON

Publication year: 2013

Journal: International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization (1023-666X)

Journal acronym: INT J POLYM ANAL CH

Volume number: 18

Issue number: 6

Start page: 439

End page: 450

Number of pages: 12

ISSN: 1023-666X

eISSN: 1563-5341

Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)

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Abstract

In this work, composite samples were prepared using Borassus fibers and a high-density polyethylene matrix. Alternatively, a chemically modified matrix (maleic anhydride grafted HDPE) was also used to improve fiber-matrix compatibility. The effect of fiber loading on the mechanical properties was investigated. Borassus fiber/modified HDPE composites exhibited improved mechanical performance as compared to pure HDPE composites. SEM studies on the fractured specimens of unmodified HDPE fiber composites reveal the poor fiber-matrix interaction, whereas the interaction is strong with enhanced mechanical properties for modified HDPE fiber composites. This is due to an improvement of the chemical bonding between the modified HDPE matrix and the Borassus fiber as also supported by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results. Thermal stability was also found to be enhanced slightly for modified HDPE composites.

Keywords

Borassus fiber, composites, FT-IR, Mechanical properties, SEM, thermal stability

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