Studies in Effect of Synthetic and Natural Microfibers on Properties of High-Density Polyethylene-Reinforced Composite. Issue 2 (22nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gaikwad, Pravin; Mahanwar, Prakash
• Is Part Of: Polymer-plastics technology and engineering. Volume 56:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 131
• Page End: 140
• Publication Date: 2017-01-22
• Subjects: Coupling agent -- HDPE -- PET and henequen microfibers -- SEM -- VTMO; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; Engineering -- Periodicals; Plastics -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1080/03602559.2016.1185618
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-2559

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Natural fibers are now arising as one of the promising reinforcement components for fiber-reinforced polymer composites. A study has been conducted to optimize weight concentration of surface-treated and surface-untreated microfibers on the properties of high-density polyethylene composite. Polyethylene terephthalate and henequen microfibers in varying compositions, namely, 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 20 wt% were reinforced into high-density polyethylene matrix. These fibers were treated with coupling agent at 0.5 wt%. Vinyltrimethoxysilane-treated composite shows enhanced properties as compared to untreated microfiber composite. Rheological and morphological results reveal that addition of coupling agent improves dispersion and matrix fiber interactions. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: