COMPOSITE MOLDED PRODUCTS BASED ON RECYCLED THERMOPLASTICS AND WASTE CELLULOSICS .2. KENAF FIBER-RECYCLED PE COMPOSITES

The mechanical properties and dimensional stability of kenaf fiber-fil led recycled polyethylene (PE) composites have been evaluated at room temperature and after immersion in boiling water. The effects of level s of kenaf fiber and modified polyethylenes, as the coupling agents, o n the performance of the composites have been discussed. Maleated PE o ffered best balance in mechanical properties and dimensional stability compared to those of chlorinated PE and chlorosulphonated PE. The var iations in properties with change in concentrations of fiber and a cou pling agent (i.e., chlorinated PE) have been statistically analyzed ba sed on an empirical quadratic model. Good correlations of the experime ntal data for the physico-mechanical properties were obtained.