A Comparative Study of Modified and Unmodified High-Density Polyethylene/Borassus Fiber Composites |
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| Authors: | C Uma Maheswari K Obi Reddy E Muzenda M Shukla A Varada Rajulu |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Chemical Engineering Technology , Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg , Johannesburg , South Africa mahithasku@gmail.com;3. Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology , Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg , Johannesburg , South Africa;4. Department of Chemical Engineering Technology , Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg , Johannesburg , South Africa;5. Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology , Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg , Johannesburg , South Africa;6. Department of Mechanical Engineering , Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology , Allahabad , Uttar Pradesh , India;7. Department of Polymer Science and Technology , Sri Krishnadevaraya University , Anantapur , India |
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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. |
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| Keywords: | Borassus fiber Composites FT-IR Mechanical properties SEM Thermal stability |
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