Effect of Poly(methyl Methacrylate) Modified Water Hyacinth Fiber on Properties of Low Density Polyethylene/Natural Rubber/Water Hyacinth Fiber Composites |
| |
Authors: | A G Supri S J Tan P L Teh |
| |
Affiliation: | School of Materials Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Kompleks Taman Muhibah , Perlis, Malaysia |
| |
Abstract: | The effect of poly(methyl methacrylate) modified water hyacinth fiber on properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/natural rubber (NR)/water hyacinth fiber (WHF) composites were investigated. The composites were prepared with Z-blade mixer at 180°C and rotor speed of 50 rpm. The poly(methyl methacrylate) modified water hyacinth fibers in LDPE/NR composites (LDPE/NR/WHF-PMMA) gave a greater value of tensile strength, Young's modulus, glass transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature (Tm), and % crystallinity compared to unmodified water hyacinth fibers in LDPE/NR composites (LDPE/NR/WHF). FTIR analysis shows the presence of ester carbonyl group and C-O ester group in poly (methyl methacrylate) modified water hyacinth fiber. The SEM micrograph also shows a better interfacial adhesion between the fibers and LDPE/NR matrixes for LDPE/NR/WHF-PMMA composites than LDPE/NR/WHF composites. LDPE/NR/WHF-PMMA composites had a lower value of interparticle spacing compared to LDPE/NR/WHF composites thatenhanced the interparticle interaction between fiber and LDPE/NR matrixes. |
| |
Keywords: | Low density polyethylene Polymethyl methacrylate Water hyacinth fibers |
|
|