TY - JOUR
T1 - A Comparative Study of Modified and Unmodified High-Density Polyethylene/Borassus Fiber Composites
AU - Maheswari, C. Uma
AU - Reddy, K. Obi
AU - Muzenda, E.
AU - Shukla, M.
AU - Rajulu, A. Varada
PY - 2013/8/1
Y1 - 2013/8/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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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U2 - 10.1080/1023666X.2013.814027
DO - 10.1080/1023666X.2013.814027
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84882285121
SN - 1023-666X
VL - 18
SP - 439
EP - 450
JO - International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization
JF - International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization
IS - 6
ER -