COMPOSITE MOLDED PRODUCTS BASED ON RECYCLED THERMOPLASTICS AND WASTE CELLULOSICS .1. PEAT MOSS-RECYCLED PE COMPOSITES

Effects of three different modified (i.e., chlorinated, chlorosulfonat ed, and maleated) polyethylenes (PEs) on the mechanical properties and dimensional stability of recycled PE composites filled with biomass ( peat moss) have been investigated at room temperature and after exposu re to boiling water for 24 h. From the experimental results, it is sug gested that differently modified PEs play an important role in improvi ng the physicomechanical properties of the peat moss-filled recycled P E composites, even after exposure to boiling water. However, maleated PE is by far the best coupling agent as far as mechanical properties a nd dimensional stability of the peat moss-filled recycled PE is concer ned. The effects of concentrations of peat moss and coupling agent (i. e., chlorinated PE) on the properties of the composites have been stat istically analyzed based on an experimental design and on an empirical quadratic model.