Mechanical and Surface Morphology Properties of Low Density Polyethylene Composites Filled with Organic Materials

Abstract

The effects of coconut husk and mango seed shell filler blend which are considered as agricultural wastes on the mechanical properties of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) composites were studied. These fillers which are of plant origin, organic, cheap to acquire, available, and biodegradeable were incorporated into LDPE polymer resin for the fabrication of bio-degradeable LDPE polymer composites. Varying percentages of the fillers, 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% were added to the LDPE polymer resins to produce biodegradeable LDPE polymer composites through injection moulding machine. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength, compression strength and hardness test were tested for. The surface morphology of the composites was also tested for via scanning electron microscope. The results showed that the fillers had positive impacts on the mechanical properties of the polymer composites by improvement in the flexural strength and hardness. The use of such cheap, available and biodegradeable raw materials can decrease the high cost of production of LDPE products, and aid the production of more eco friendly polymer composites.