A STUDY ON EFFECT OF COMPATIBILIZER ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BAMBOO FIBRE REINFORCED LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITES

Abstract

This project aims to evaluate optimized compatibilizer concentration for Bamboo fiber reinforced Low density polyethylene (LDPE) composites. Knowing fully well, the need of a compatibilizer, Bamboo fiber reinforced LDPE composites were processed without any compatibilizer or interfacial agent with varying/increasing fiber loadings to evaluate the optimum fiber percentage without compatibilizer. This optimized fiber percentage was then used to process Bamboo fiber reinforced LDPE composites with varying/increasing amounts of maleic anhydride grafted LDPE as compatibilizer. Optimized compatibilizer concentration and percentage was then evaluated by evaluation of mechanical properties of Bamboo fiber reinforced LDPE composites with compatibilizer and their comparison with LDPE and bamboo/LDPE composites without compatibilizer. Raw materials were obtained commercially, and composites were processed by Haake Rheocord extruder. Samples were fabricated by Texair injection moulding machine, and mechanical properties - Tensile Modulus Tensile Strength, and Flexural Modulus- were evaluated by Lloyds Universal Testing Machine. The mechanical properties of the composites without compatibilizer improved with addition of Bamboo fibre and optimum properties were obtained at 25% fibre loading. But the improvement was not significant due to poor, adhesion between fibres and matrix. Therefore MAPE was used as a compatibilizer. Varying MAPE concentrations were used at 25% fibre loading to estimate its effect on mechanical properties of composites. Moisture Absorption in the composites increased with increasing fibre loading because of hydrophilic nature of fibres, thus resulting in loss of strength of composites. Addition of MAPE.reduced the moisture absorption in the composites. Density has also been evaluated. Bamboo Fiber / LDPE composites have been successfully processed, and have potential for engineering applications.