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Polymers and Polymer Composites

EFFECT OF COMPATIBILISER AND FIBRE CONTENT ON JUTE FIBRE REINFORCED HDPE/EPDM COMPOSITES

June 1, 2006 By: Sarkhel G; Banerjee A; Bhattacharya P Research article

Title: EFFECT OF COMPATIBILISER AND FIBRE CONTENT ON JUTE FIBRE REINFORCED HDPE/EPDM COMPOSITES
Page Range: p.603-610
Author(s): Sarkhel G; Banerjee A; Bhattacharya P
File size: 237K
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Journal: Polymers and Polymer Composites
Issue Year: ppc
Volume: 14
Issue No: No. 6

Abstract
Polyolefins can be modified with EPDM elastomer to improve impact strength. However, improvements in toughness can be accompanied by a decrease in stiffness. To overcome this reinforcing fibres can be added to increase the stiffness. In this article, the use of jute reinforcing fibres is investigated in HDPE/EPDM blends. Since jute is predominantly polar and HDPE non-polar, a compatibiliser is investigated needed to improve their interaction. The mechanical and morphological properties of jute fibre-reinforced HDPE/EPDM composites were studied as a function of fibre and compatibiliser content. Improvements were found with respect to tensile, flexural and impact strengths with the addition of 2% compatibiliser. With increasing fibre content, tensile and flexural strengths increased, but impact strength declined on account of crack initiation caused by the presence of too many fibre ends. SEM indicated that better interaction and distribution of fibres in the matrix was achieved in the compatibilised systems compared to the uncompatibilised one. 26 refs.

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