A Comparative Study on the Mechanical and Degradation Properties of Plant Fibers Reinforced Polyethylene Composites

Coir and abaca fiber-reinforced linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) composites (30 wt% fiber) were prepared by compression molding. Coir and abaca fibers were treated with methyl methacrylate (MMA) using ultraviolet radiation to improve the mechanical properties of the composites. Concentration of MMA and radiation dose was optimized. It was found that 30% MMA in methanol along with photoinitiator Darocur-1173 (2%) and 15th pass of radiation rendered better performance. Chemically treated fiber-reinforced specimens yielded better mechanical properties compared to the untreated composites, whereas coir fiber composites had better mechanical properties than abaca fiber reinforced ones. For the improvement of the properties, optimized coir (coir fiber treated with 30% MMA) and abaca (abaca fiber treated with 40% MMA) fibers were again treated with aqueous starch solution (2%-8%, w/w) for 2-7 min. Composites made of 3%-starch-treated coir fiber (5 min soaking time) showed the best mechanical properties than that of abaca-fiber-based composites. Water uptake and soil degradation tests of the composites were also performed. POLYM. COMPOS., 32:1552-1560, 2011. (C) 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers