Water Absorption, Flammability, Hardness and Morphology Tests on Composite Prepared from High Density Polyethylene Films/Doka Wood Dust Particles

Abstract

High density polyethylene films / Doka wood dust particles composites were prepared by dissolving high density polyethylene (waste and virgin) films in toluene at 135oC with Doka wood particles. Some physical properties of the composites such as water absorption, flammability, hardness and morphology of the composites were studied. It was found that the water absorption increases as Doka wood particles increased but decreases as the high density polyethylene films increased. The composites made from high density polyethylene films waste showed different results as those made of the virgin high density polyethylene films. Gradual reduction in flammability of the composite was observed as the Doka wood particles and high polyethylene films increases. This was attributed to the incombustility of high amount of ligninous materials Significant decrease in hardness of composite was observed as the Doka wood particles was increased but increase in hardness was obtained when the high density polyethylene films increases. This could be due to inability of the matrix to encapsulate the fibre strands but the increase in hardness was due to the strong binding effect of the polymer resin. Scanning electron microscopy images of the surfaces confirmed an interfacial bonding between the Doka wood particles and the high density polyethylene films at high polymer resin but decrease in interface bonding between the Doka wood particles and the high density polyethylene films at high Doka wood particles.