Preparation and properties of carbon-fiber- and pine-cone-fiber-reinforced high-density polyethylene composites

In this study, we were concerned with the physical properties of carbon-fiber- and pine-cone-fiber-reinforced high-density polyethylene prepared by compression molding. The resulting composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and mechanical testing. The results indicate that the manufacturing properties of the composites were improved with the addition of carbon fibers. The FTIR results showed that the carbon-fiber reinforcement of the composites was mainly achieved through physical effects. An appropriate content of carbon-fiber addition improved the interface combination between the fibers and matrix; carbon fibers improve the water absorption of the material, and the relative crystallinity of the composite increased with increasing carbon-fiber addition. With increasing carbon-fiber content, the thermal decomposition temperature of the composites increased, and the thermal stability of the composites improved. (c) 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47304.