Influence of natural fibers on the phase transitions in high-density polyethylene composites using dynamic mechanical analysis

Abstract

Dynamic mechanical analysis was employed to evaluate the performance of various natural fibers in high-density polyethylene composites. Kenaf, newsprint, rice hulls, and wood flour were sources of fiber. Composites were made at 25 percent and 50 percent by weight fiber contents. Maleic anhydride modified polyethylene was also added at 1:25 ratio to the fiber. Temperature scans in the range of -110° to +100°C were performed, and storage modulus, loss modulus, and mechanical loss factor (tan 6) were recorded over the selected temperature range. Different transitions were monitored, and the effects of natural fibers on location and intensity of such transitions were investigated. The b transition was hard to detect, whereas the a transition was shifted to higher temperatures when fibers were present. The results also indicated that b transition is not a major transition in such composites, whereas tan d curves of the composites tended to deviate from the pure plastic curve at temperatures above a transition temperature.

Citation

Tajvidi, Mehdi; Falk, Robert H.; Hermanson, John C.; Felton, Colin. 2003. Influence of natural fibers on the phase transitions in high-density polyethylene composites using dynamic mechanical analysis. Seventh International Conference on Woodfiber-Plastic Composites (and other natural fibers), May 19-20, 2003 ... Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Madison, WI : Forest Products Society, 2003: Pages 187-195