Effects of rice straw fiber morphology and content on the mechanical and thermal properties of rice straw fiber‐high density polyethylene composites

Rice straw fiber‐high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were prepared to investigate the effects of rice straw fiber morphology (rice straw refined fiber, rice straw pellet, rice straw strand), fiber content (20 and 40 wt %), and maleic anhydride polyethylene (MAPE) concentration (5 wt %) on the mechanical and thermal properties of the rice straw fiber‐HDPE composites in this study. Rice straw refined fiber exhibited more variability in length and width, and have a higher aspect ratio of 16.3. Compared to the composites filled of rice straw pellet, the composites made of the refined fiber and strand had a slightly higher tensile strength and lower tensile elongation at break. The tensile and flexural strength of the composites increased slightly with increasing rice straw fiber content up to 40 wt %, while the tensile elongation at break decreased. With addition MAPE, the composites filled with 20 wt % rice straw fiber showed an increase in tensile, flexural and impact strength and a decrease in tensile elongation at break. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the fiber addition and morphology had no appreciable effect on the crystallization temperature of the composites but decreased the crystallinity. The scanning electron microscopy observation on the fracture surface of the composites indicated that introduction of MAPE to the system resulted in promotion in fiber dispersion, and an increase in interfacial bonding strength. Fiber breakage occurred significantly in the composites filled with refined fiber and strand after extruding and injection processing. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Design and testing of high-density polyethylene nanocomposites filled with lead oxide micro- and nano-particles: Mechanical,thermal, and morphological properties

This research discusses the mechanical behavior and the microstructure of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-based composites, manufactured using the melt-mixing and thermal-pressing techniques, where HDPE is mixed with various percentages of either bulk lead monoxide (bulk PbO) or PbO nanoparticles (PbO-NPs) acting as fillers. The scanning electron microscope and the field emission transmission electron microscope were utilized to identify the morphology of polymeric composites. Both showed the proper dispersion of PbO in the HDPE matrix without substantial agglomerations. The effect of PbO on the thermal behavior of the HDPE was studied using the thermogravimetric analysis. Tensile tests were implemented to find out how the mechanical characteristics of the composites were affected. Yield stress, % elongation at break, stiffness, tensile energy (toughness), ultimate tensile strength, and ultimate tensile strain were elucidated in this work. The values of stiffness, ultimate tensile strength, and yield stress increased by increasing either the bulk PbO or PbO-NPs' loading up to 40.0 wt % with reference to the hosting matrix. The values of ultimate tensile strain, tensile energy, and % elongation at break of the assembled composites diminished dramatically by increasing the filler's content from 10.0 to 50.0 wt %. Besides, composites with PbO-NPs as a filler were identified as having higher mechanical characteristics than those with bulk PbO for the same wt %. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47812.     

Effects of a titanate coupling agent on the mechanical and thermo‐physical properties of talc‐reinforced polyethylene compounds

An experimental study was carried out to investigate the effects of a titanate coupling agent on the mechanical properties, moisture absorption, and thermal conductivity of talc‐filled high‐density polyethylene (HDPE). Talc (0–35 wt %) was used as reinforcement particulate filler in an HDPE matrix and samples were prepared in a micro‐compounder and an injection molding machine. Isopropyl tri(dioctyl)phosphate titanate (0.5 wt %) was used as coupling agent. Composites with and without coupling agent were evaluated for changes in mechanical and thermo‐physical properties, morphology, and void content. Addition of the titanate coupling agent most often resulted in an increase in stiffness and tensile strength. Furthermore, both the void content and the elongation at break of composites were reduced. Results also showed that the coupling agent had no effects on the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat capacity of the composites. In addition, it was observed that the coupling agent was more effective at low concentrations of filler. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40449.     

Influence of fly ash cenospheres on performance of coir fiber‐reinforced recycled high‐density polyethylene biocomposites

Recycled high‐density polyethylene (RHDPE)/coir fiber (CF)‐reinforced biocomposites were fabricated using melt blending technique in a twin‐screw extruder and the test specimens were prepared in an automatic injection molding machine. Variation in mechanical properties, crystallization behavior, water absorption, and thermal stability with the addition of fly ash cenospheres (FACS) in RHDPE/CF composites were investigated. It was observed that the tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and hardness properties of RHDPE increase with an increase in fiber loading from 10 to 30 wt %. Composites prepared using 30 wt % CF and 1 wt % MA‐g‐HDPE exhibited optimum mechanical performance with an increase in tensile modulus to 217%, flexural strength to 30%, flexural modulus to 97%, and hardness to 27% when compared with the RHDPE matrix. Addition of FACS results in a significant increase in the flexural modulus and hardness of the RHDPE/CF composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis tests of the RHDPE/CF/FACS biocomposites in presence of MA‐g‐HDPE revealed an increase in storage (E′) and loss (E″) modulus with reduction in damping factor (tan δ), confirming a strong influence between the fiber/FACS and MA‐g‐HDPE in the RHDPE matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis thermograms also showed improved thermal properties in the composites when compared with RHDPE matrix. The main motivation of this study was to prepare a value added and low‐cost composite material with optimum properties from consumer and industrial wastes as matrix and filler. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42237.     

Mechanical properties and microstructure of HDPE/AL(OH)3/silicone oil composite

The effect of surface modification on the mechanical properties and microstructure of the composites of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), silicone oil, and aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH)₃] was investigated. The dispersion of silicone oil in the HDPE composites was studied by scanning electric microscope (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In the HDPE/Al(OH)₃/silicone oil composites, two types of dispersion structure of silicone oil were observed resulting from different surface modifications. In the composites surface modified with titanate NDZ‐130, calcium stearate, or oleic acid, silicone oil encapsulates around Al(OH)₃ particles, and both the notched impact strength and the elongation at break are very high. However, in the composites surface modified with silane KH‐550 or silane‐g‐HDPE, silicone oil and Al(OH)₃ particles separately disperse in HDPE, and both the notched impact strength and the elongation at break are very low. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1896–1903, 2002     

Mechanical and thermal properties of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes and multiwalled carbon nanotube–polyurethane composites

Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT)–polyurethane (PU) composites were obtained by an in situ polycondensation approach. The effects of the number of functional groups on the dispersion and mechanical properties were investigated. The results showed that the functionalized MWNTs had more advantages for improving the dispersion and stability in water and N,N′‐dimethylformamide. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the composites exhibited obvious increases with the addition of MWNT contents below 1 wt % and then decreases with additions above 1 wt %. The maximum values of the tensile strength and elongation at break increased by 900 and 741%, respectively, at a 1 wt % loading of MWNTs. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements indicated that the addition of MWNTs resulted in an alteration of the glass‐transition temperature of the soft‐segment phase of MWNT–PU. Additionally, new peaks near 54°C were observed with differential scanning calorimetry because of the microphase‐separation structures and alteration of the segment molecular weights of the hard segment and soft segment of PU with the addition of MWNTs. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

The physical and mechanical properties of polymer composites filled with Fe‐powder

In this study, the effect of Fe powder on the physical and mechanical properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) was investigated experimentally. HDPE and HDPE containing 5, 10, and 15 vol % Fe metal–polymer composites were prepared with a twin screw extruder and injection molding. After this, fracture surface, the modulus of elasticity, yield and tensile strength, % elongation, Izod impact strength (notched), hardness (Shore D), Vicat softening point, heat deflection temperature (HDT), melt flow index (MFI), and melting temperature (T_m) were determined, for each sample. When the physical and mechanical properties of the composites were compared with the results of unfilled HDPE, it was found that the yield and tensile strength, % elongation, and Izod impact strength of HDPE decreased with the vol % of Fe. As compared with the tensile strength and % elongation of unfilled HDPE, tensile strength and % elongation of 15 vol % Fe filled HDPE were lower, about 17.40% and 94.75% respectively. On the other hand, addition of Fe into HDPE increased the modulus of elasticity, hardness, Vicat softening, MFI, and HDT values, such that 15 vol % Fe increased the modulus of elasticity to about 48%. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

HDPE/木质素复合材料的制备及性能

采用甲酸法制备了木质素,将木质素和羟甲基化木质素分别与高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)熔融共混制备了 HDPE／木质素复合材料,研究了其力学性能和相态结构。结果表明:随术质素或羟甲基化木质素加入量的增加,复合材料的断裂伸长率逐渐提高;弯曲模量和弯曲强度随羟甲基化木质素含量的增加分别提高了17.3％和12．2％;与木质素共混时,弯曲强度在木质素质量分数为2．5％处达到最高值(16．1 MPa),随后叉呈下降趋势;HDPE／木质素和 HDPE／羟甲基化木质素的断裂拉伸强度分别提高了8．0％和16．2％;但材料的抗冲击性能有所降低;总体上,木质素的羟甲基化使复合材料的性能优于木质素复合材料。     

Mechanical properties of high‐density polyethylene/scrap rubber powder composites modified with ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer,dicumyl peroxide,and silicone oil

The effect of ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM), dicumyl peroxide (DCP), and dimethyl silicone oil on the mechanical properties of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites filled with 60 mesh cryogenically scrap rubber powder (SRP) was studied. The addition of 10 wt % EPDM, 0.2 wt % DCP, and 4 wt % dimethyl silicone oil significantly increased both the impact strength and elongation at break of the HDPE/SRP composites. After the modification, the impact strength increased by 160%, and the elongation at break increased by 150% for the composites containing 40 wt % SRP. The impact load–time curves showed that the increase of impact energy for the modified composites was attributed to the increase of the maximum force at yield point and the ductile deformation after yielding. The rheological behavior, dynamic mechanical properties, and morphology observation suggested that an enhanced adhesion between SRP and polymer matrix formed in the modified HDPE/SRP composites. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2020–2027, 2003     

Mechanical properties of teak wood flour‐reinforced HDPE composites

Mechanical properties such as tensile and impact strength behavior of teak wood flour (TWF)‐filled high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were evaluated at 0–0.32 volume fraction (Φ_f) of TWF. Tensile modulus and strength initially increased up to Φ_f = 0.09, whereas a decrease is observed with further increase in the Φ_f. Elongation‐at‐break and Izod impact strength decreased significantly with increase in the Φ_f. The crystallinity of HDPE also decreased with increase in the TWF concentration. The initial increase in the tensile modulus and strength was attributed to the mechanical restraint, whereas decrease in the tensile properties at Φ_f > 0.09 was due to the predominant effect of decrease in the crystallinity of HDPE. The mechanical restraint decreased the elongation and Izod impact strength. In the presence of coupling agent, maleic anhydride‐grafted HDPE (HDPE‐g‐MAH), the tensile modulus and strength enhanced significantly because of enhanced interphase adhesion. However, the elongation and Izod impact strength decreased because of enhanced mechanical restraint on account of increased phase interactions. Scanning electron microscopy showed a degree of better dispersion of TWF particles because of enhanced phase adhesion in the presence of HDPE‐g‐MAH. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Microcrystalline cellulose as reactive reinforcing fillers for epoxidized soybean oil polymer composites

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and its oxidized product dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) were introduced as the reinforcing filler in epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) thermosetting polymer. The composites comprising up to 25 wt % cellulose fillers were obtained via a solution casting. The reinforcing effects of the cellulose were evaluated by microstructure analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, and tensile and thermal stability tests. The results showed that at the same filler concentration, DAC led to higher stretching strength, modulus, and break elongation than MCC. The 5 wt % DAC loading in ESO polymer exhibits the highest toughness and thermal stability due to the good dispersion and interfacial interaction between DAC and ESO polymer matrix. The increased storage modulus and glass transition temperature also indicate the cellulose fillers impart stiffness to the composites. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42488.     

Industrially viable technique for the preparation of HDPE/fly ash composites at high loading: Thermal,mechanical, and rheological interpretations

This article describes an industrially viable melt blending approach for the preparation of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/fly ash composites having high loading of fly ash (FA) (up to 25 wt %). In this approach, solvent was used to enhance the mixing of FA in HDPE matrix. FA coated on the outer surface of HDPE granules using solvent is an economical technique for the incorporation of high loading of FA using conventional twin screw extruder. Herein, the effect of HDPE reinforced with FA on thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties has been investigated. Incorporation of FA in HDPE matrix resulted in higher storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E″), and complex viscosity (η*) as compared to neat polymer. Tensile and flexural moduli were also found to increase (～47% and ～66%, respectively) with the addition of FA (25 wt %). However, the elongation at break of HDPE reduced as the rigid spherical FA particles do not undergo elongation. The dispersion of FA within the polymer matrix and interaction of FA with HDPE were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Rheological and mechanical properties of the composites were also correlated with the morphology. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45995.     

Melt processed elemental sulfur reinforced polyethylene composites

Elemental sulfur represents a largely unutilized resource for high performance materials development. In this context, elemental sulfur was investigated as reinforcing agent for high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites via extrusion. We were able to produce homogenous composites with sulfur content up to 30 wt %. Compounding was done at 190°C well above the polymerization temperature of elemental sulfur. Infrared and Raman spectroscopy showed that sulfur did not undergo chemical reaction with HDPE. Additionally, Raman spectroscopy showed that sulfur exists in its most stable allotrope, cyclooctasulfur (S₈). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that sulfur is present in non‐orthorhombic crystal and X‐ray diffraction confirms the same. Results suggest that sulfur is predominantly in its cyclooctasulfur allotrope and occupies the amorphous region of HDPE. According to TEM and SEM microscopy, the composites were of high quality, smooth and without distinguishable defects. Quality and smoothness of composites depend on the experimental parameters and sulfur loading. The addition of elemental sulfur significantly improved the elongation at break of the composites from 835 to 1202% (43% increases with 15 wt % sulfur) despite the obvious fact that HDPE possess an already impressive elongation at break quality. Such phenomena have not been reported in the literature. The improved composites would be suitable for a variety of engineering applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43060.     

Injection‐molded high‐density polyethylene–hydroxyapatite–aluminum oxide hybrid composites for hard‐tissue replacement: Mechanical,biological, and protein adsorption behavior

In this article, we report the mechanical and biocompatibility properties of injection‐molded high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites reinforced with 40 wt % ceramic filler [hydroxyapatite (HA) and/or Al₂O₃] and 2 wt % titanate as a coupling agent. The mechanical property measurements revealed that a combination of a maximum tensile strength of 18.7 MPa and a maximum tensile modulus of about 855 MPa could be achieved with the injection‐molded HDPE–20 wt % HA–20 wt % Al₂O₃ composites. For the same composite composition, the maximum compression strength was determined to be 71.6 MPa and the compression modulus was about 660 MPa. The fractrography study revealed the uniform distribution of ceramic fillers in the semicrystalline HDPE matrix. The cytocompatibility study with osteoblast‐like SaOS2 cells confirmed extensive cell adhesion and proliferation on the injection‐molded HDPE–20 wt % HA–20 wt % Al₂O₃ composites. The cell viability analysis with the 3(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay revealed a statistically significant difference between the injection‐molded HDPE–20 wt % HA–20 wt % Al₂O₃ composites and sintered HA for various culture durations of upto 7 days. The difference in cytocompatibility properties among the biocomposites is explained in terms of the difference in the protein absorption behavior. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

High‐performance antistatic ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer/high‐density polyethylene composites with graphene nanoplatelets coated by polyaniline

Graphene nanoplatelets coated by polyaniline (GNP@PANI) and ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer–high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) were used for the first time to prepare high‐performance antistatic composites through an effective method that combined solution mixing and melt blending. GNP@PANI nanocomposites were fabricated by in situ polymerization to improve the dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) in the EVA–HDPE matrix and the compatibility between the GNPs and the EVA–HDPE matrix. The GNP@PANI nanocomposites and EVA were first prepared as a premix through solution mixing, and then, the premix and HDPE were prepared as highly antistatic composites through melt blending. The dispersion of the GNPs in the EVA–HDPE matrix and the compatibility between the GNPs and the EVA–HDPE matrix were confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy observations. The GNP@PANI–EVA–HDPE composites met the requirements for antistatic materials when the content of the GNP@PANI nanocomposites was 5 wt % with only about 1 wt % GNPs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45303.     

Morphological and physicomechanical analysis of high‐density polyethylene filled with Salago fiber

The environmental issues associated with the mass discarding of waste plastics in the Philippines have significantly raised for the past decade. However, this country is a home to many natural fibers which necessitates the development of ecofriendly materials to diminish the environmental footprint of polymers. High‐density polyethylene (HDPE) was filled with floured untreated and 5 wt % alkaline‐treated Salago fiber via melt compounding. The physical and mechanical characteristics of both types of composites were measured and compared. The composite filled with 30 wt % untreated fiber became very brittle, showing tensile strength and impact resistance of 15.8 MPa and 4.9 kJ/m², respectively. Alkaline treatment improved the mechanical properties of untreated composites, but not above the value of virgin HDPE. Nevertheless, the flexural strength of treated composites exceeded that of the virgin HDPE. Untreated composites absorbed water twice as the treated ones. Finally, morphological and fractography inspection on tensile and flexural test specimens showed improvement made by treatment on the interfacial adhesion between fiber and thermoplastic, corroborating the results from mechanical properties test. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46479.     

Effect of ethylene-propylene copolymer with residual PE crystallinity on mechanical properties and morphology of PP/HDPE blends

Morphology and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/high density polyethylene (HDPE) blends modified by ethylene-propylene copolymers (EPC) with residual PE crystallinity were investigated. The EPC showed different interfacial behavior in PP/HDPE blends of different compositions. A 25/75 blend of PP/HDPE (weight ratio) showed improved tensile strength and elongation at break at low EPC content (5 wt %). For the PP/HDPE = 50/50 blend, the presence of the EPC component tended to make the PP dispresed phase structure transform into a cocontinuous one, probably caused by improved viscosity matching of the two components. Both tensile strength and elongation at break were improved at EPC content of 5 wt %. For PP/HDPE 75/25 blends, the much smaller dispersed HDPE phase and significantly improved elongation at break resulted from compatibilization by EPC copolymers. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Mechanical properties of HDPE/bark flour composites

Tensile and impact properties of Neem bark flour (BF) containing high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were studied at 0–0.26 volume fraction of filler. Tensile modulus and strength and breaking elongation decreased with increase in BF concentration. The decrease in tensile modulus and strength was attributed to the decrease in crystallinity of the polymer compared to the imposed mechanical restraint by the BF. Analysis of tensile strength data indicated formation of stress concentration in the interphase. Because of this stress concentration and the mechanical restraint, the elongation‐at‐break and Izod impact strength decreased. Use of a coupling agent, HDPE‐g‐MAH, brings about enhanced phase adhesion, increasing the tensile modulus and strength. Enhanced adhesion marginally lowers composite ductility at higher filler contents and aids stress transfer increasing the Izod impact strength inappreciably. Scanning electron microscopic studies indicated better dispersion of BF particles and enhanced interphase adhesion in presence of the coupling agent. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Studies on mechanical and thermal properties of ternary blends of polyethylenes. I

Six film samples of varying compositions of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE), 10–35 wt %, and high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), 40–65 wt %, having a fixed percentage of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) at 25 wt % were extruded by melt blending in a single‐screw extruder (L/D ratio = 20 : 1) of uniform thickness of 2 mil. The tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength were found to increase up to 60 wt % HDPE addition, starting from 40 wt % HDPE, in the blends and then decreased. The blend sample B‐500 was found to be more thermally stable than its counterparts. The appearance of a single peak beyond 45 wt % HDPE content in the blend in dynamic DSC scans showed the formation of miscible blend systems and this was further confirmed by scanning electron microscopic analysis. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1691–1698, 2005     

羟基硅油对Mg（OH）2高填充HDPE力学性能的影响

研究了超细Ｍｇ（ＯＨ）２填料用量、填料表面改性、羟基硅油用量等对于高填充高密度聚乙烯（ＨＤＰＥ）力学性能的影响。当超细Ｍｇ（ＯＨ）填料用量达到７０份时,ＨＤＰＥ复合材料表现出明显的脆性拉伸断裂行为,用硅烷偶联剂物钛酸酯对超细Ｍｇ（ＯＨ）２填料进行表面改性,能提高高填充ＨＤＰＥ的拉伸强度,而对于断裂伸长率的影响较小,羟基硅油能有效改善高填充ＨＤＰＥ的韧性。在１４０份的高填充量下,用羟基硅油处理钛酸酯