Effect of surface treatment on the physicomechanical and thermal properties of high‐density polyethylene/olive husk flour composites

Abstract

In this study, a particular interest was focused on the recovery of lignocellulosic waste of olive husk flour (OHF) by its incorporation as filler in manufacturing composite materials based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix with various filler contents (10, 20, and 30 wt %). The problem of incompatibility between the hydrophilic filler and the hydrophobic matrix was treated with two methods: the first method consists of using maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene (MAPE) as compatibilizer in HDPE/OHF composites. The second method, was focused on the chemical modification of OHF by vinyl-triacetoxy-silane (VTAS). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is used to analyze both grafting and silanization reactions involved. Scanning electron microscopy was used to show the morphology of the flour surface. Furthermore, the physicomechanical and thermal characteristics of the various composite samples were investigated as a function of filler contents and treatment types. The results showed that the properties of the composite materials are positively affected by the silanization treatment of OHF and also by MAPE addition. However, better mechanical and thermal properties with less moisture absorption were obtained for the composite materials compatibilized with MAPE.

Polyvinyl chloride composites filled with olive stone flour: Mechanical, thermal, and water absorption properties

“…The solid waste can be burned to produce electric energy or heat, or turned into activated carbon after a thermal treatment for the removal of poisonous metals from water . The possible use of the solid by‐products as a source of compost material has also been approached . The conversion of olive stone flour (OSF) into viscous polyols, likely to be used in polyurethane foams, was successfully accomplished by total and partial oxypropylation .…”

“…Despite the considerable amount of solid waste generated by olive oil extraction, to the best of our knowledge, only a few research works reported in the literature have tackled the use of olive stones as fillers in polymer‐based composite materials. Using the search term “olive stone,” “olive kernel,” or “olive pit” and composites, only eight English scientific publications have been reported by ISI since 1993, six of which were devoted to thermoplastic matrix . Among these reported research works, only two were concerned with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a polymer matrix .…”

“…4 The possible use of the solid by-products as a source of compost material has also been approached. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The conversion of olive stone flour (OSF) into viscous polyols, likely to be used in polyurethane foams, was successfully accomplished by total and partial oxypropylation. 12 The use of the ground solid waste as a sustainable filler in polymer-based composite also constitutes an interesting potential application within the field of materials technology.…”

Tensile, Oxygen Barrier and Biodegradation Properties of Rice Husk-Reinforced Polyethylene Blown Films

“…1b) owing to the presence of hydroxyl groups. The presence of RH aggregates provides an evidence of low compatibility and poor dispersion (Ihamouchen et al 2012). This agglomeration decreases homogeneity of the film and, in consequence, its performance properties.…”

“…Among others, their renewability, abundance, lower cost, environmental friendliness and relative non-abrasiveness for the processing machinery have made natural fibres an attractive candidate for reinforcement of polymers (Ahmad Thirmizir et al 2013;Ismail et al 2013). These biocomposites are being used in large number of applications, including but not limited to automotive, building and furniture industries (Butylina et al 2013;Ihamouchen et al 2012). However, their strong hydrophilic behaviour made using natural fibre-reinforced composites is less attractive.…”