General model for comparative tensile mechanical properties of composites fabricated from fly ash and virgin/recycled high-density polyethylene

Abstract

The present work on the mechanical properties of 10 wt% fly ash additions in 2.5 wt% increments to recycled high-density polyethylene (RHDPE) synthesizes experimental data from three similar published reports. The present work shows, as a function of increasing fly ash addition level, maxima at the initial fly ash addition level of 2.5 wt% for the tensile elastic modulus (125%) and tensile strength (110%); a slight general increase in the yield stress (16%); and significant general decreases in the yield strain (261%), elongation at break (292%), and Charpy impact strength (255%). Combining these data with data for higher-level additions of fly ash ( 40 wt%/23 vol%) and cenospheres ( 39 vol%) to HDPE or RHDPE provides the basis for design parameters and a generalized model for the interpretation of failure of composites of hard brittle spherical dispersant additions in ductile polymeric matrices. The relevant load-extension plots are characterized by three behavioral regions: ductile deformation (dispersion strengthening and stress concentration), crazing (debonding and cavitation), and brittle failure (fibril failure). The locations of these regions and their transitions are a function of five dependent variables: dispersant volume, dispersant particle size, intrinsic flaw size (viz., dispersant size), generated flaw size (viz., void size), and interfacial bond strength and associated load transfer. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:1096-1108, 2016. V C 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers The manufacturing of polymer matrix composites reinforced with particulate fillers is widespread. However, common fillers, such as calcium carbonate and silica [5][6][7], are relatively expensive, so their potential replacement by a lightweight and abundant waste material, such as fly ash, represents an attractive commercial application. The literature shows that such additions generally lead to selected progressive improvements in a range of properties relative to the matrix polymer. HDPE has important applications in many areas, including packaging, containers, bags, consumer hardgoods, pipes, electrical insulation, prosthetics, and biomedical implants [59,60]. Owing to the environmental and economic effects of the Correspondence to: I.I. Kabir;

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