J. George et al., SHORT PINEAPPLE-LEAF-FIBER-REINFORCED LOW-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITES, Journal of applied polymer science, 57(7), 1995, pp. 843-854
Short pineapple-leaf-fiber- (PALF)-reinforced low-density polyethylene
(LDPE) composites were prepared by melt-mixing and solution-mixing me
thods. In the melt-mixing technique, a mixing time of 6 min, rotor spe
ed of 60 rpm, and mixing temperature of 130 degrees C were found to be
the optimum conditions. Tensile properties of melt-mixed and solution
-mixed composites were compared. Solution-mixed composites showed bett
er properties than melt-mixed composites. The influence of fiber lengt
h, fiber loading, and orientation on the mechanical properties has als
o been evaluated. Fiber breakage and damage during processing were ana
lyzed from fiber distribution curve and optical and scanning electron
micrographs. Considering the overall mechanical properties and process
ability characteristics, fiber length of 6 mm was found to be the opti
mum length of pineapple leaf fiber for the reinforcement in LDPE. The
mechanical properties were found to be enhanced and elongation at brea
k reduced with increasing fiber loading. Longitudinally oriented compo
sites showed better properties than randomly and transversely oriented
composites. Recyclability of the composite was found to be very good.
A comparison of the properties of the PALF-reinforced LDPE composites
with those of other cellulose-fiber-reinforced LDPE systems indicated
superior performance of the PALF-LDPE composites. (C) 1995 John Wiley
and Sons, Inc.