Recyclable Nylon Reinforced HDPE Composites: Effect of the Fibre Diameter

Abstract

A commercial grade of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with nylon 6 fibres of three diameters at levels up to 30 wt% HDPE. The addition of the fibres resulted in improvements in mechanical properties such as tensile strength and flexural strength. Fibres having the least diameter gave the maximum improvement in mechanical properties. Attempts were made to improve the interfacial adhesion between the fibres and the matrix by grafting the matrix with maleic anhydride and also with styrene maleic anhydride. The mechanical properties showed significant improvements as a result of these modifications. The HDPE/nylon composites/blends obtained by recycling the composites also show good mechanical properties.