Characterization and Comparison of Rheological Properties of Agro Fiber Filled High-Density Polyethylene Bio-Composites

Abstract

The rheological behavior of composites made with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and different agro fiber by-products such as corncob (CCF), Rice hull (RHF), Flax shives (FSF) and Walnut shell (WSF) flour of 60 -100 mesh were studied. The experimental results were obtained from samples containing 65 vol.% agro fiber and 3 wt.% lubricant. Particle sizes distribution of the agro fibers was in the range of 0.295 mm to ˂0.125 mm. SEM showed evidence of complete matrix/fiber impregnation or wetting. The melt rheological data in terms of complex viscosity (η*), storage modulus (G'), loss modulus (G"), and loss tangent (tanδ) were evaluated and compared for different samples. Due to higher probability of agglomeration formation in the samples containing 65 vol.% of agro fillers, the storage modulus, loss modulus and complex viscosity of these samples were high. The unique change in all the samples is due to the particle size distribution of the agro fibers. The storage and loss modulus increased with increasing shear rates for all the composites, except for Walnut shell composite which exhibited unusual decrease in storage modulus with increasing shear rate. Damping factor (tanδ) decreased with increasing shear rate for all the composites at 65 vol.% filler load although there were differences among the composites. Maximum torque tended to increase at the 65 vol.% agro fiber load for all composites. Corncob and Walnut shell composites gave higher torque and steady state torque values in comparison with Flax shives and Rice hull composites due to differences in particle sizes distribution of the agro fibers.

Synthesis and utilization of epoxidized polybutadiene rubber as an alternate compatibilizer in green-tire composites

“…Rheology studies were carried out using Hybrid Rheometer from -120 to 100°C at 10 Hz frequency and 0.1% strain [29]. The bound rubber content was determined as per method proposed by the reported literature [30].…”

HDPE/Chitosan Blends Modified with Organobentonite Synthesized with Quaternary Ammonium Salt Impregnated Chitosan

“…In view of the above mentioned considerations, many researchers are working on blends of chitosan with various polymers either for increasing the bio-based content or for the antimicrobial effect of chitosan. Thus, the development of research about blends of chitosan with polyolefins has received considerable attention, especially those that are prepared by melt processing, because of their high yield, and greater control of the final material’s characteristics without atmospheric pollution, in comparison with the solvent evaporation methods [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ]. However, there are only a few published reports on blends of chitosan with high density polyethylene (HDPE) [ 38 , 39 ], and, to the best of our knowledge, the compatibilization of these blends with organobentonite synthesized with quaternary ammonium salt impregnated chitosan has not been conducted yet.…”

Silica‐grafted poly1‐hexene: A new approach to prepare polyethylene/silica nanocomposites

“…For more comprehension, simulation of PE/PHex‐g‐SiO 2 structure and a PE‐based thermoplastic elastomer can be useful. In a PE‐based thermoplastic elastomer the G′ value of the amorphous matrix is increased by physical crosslinking between dispersed crystallites , but when crystallites dissolve over their melting, the increment of G′ will be disappeared . As a result, grafted PHex to silica nanoparticles reinforced tensile properties in solid, while the linkage/entanglement disappeared in the melt and grafted chains minimized the cohesive attraction between nanoparticles or adhesion attraction between PHex and PE.…”