Experimental Investigation on Underlying Mechanism of LLDPE Based Rotationally Molded BioComposites

Rotational molding is a polymer manufacturing technique through which hollow and seamless parts having complex geometries can be manufactured. Polyethylene, especially Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) is most preferred base material for rotational molding. Bio composites of jute/LLDPE and Sugar Cane Bagasse (SCB)/LLDPE prepared using rotational molding were investigated. Investigation includes processability analysis, mechanical analysis and thermal analysis. Large hollow seamless plastic products can be easily molded by rotational molding process. A determined thermal stability along with a broad processing window is some requisite variant requirement of resin needed to be incorporated for this technique. Though Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) satisfies such requirements, but it deliberately depicts deficiency in application where structural strength is an essential specification. Numerous additives and reinforcements have been evinced to satiate this void. The present study investigates the effect of Sugarcane Bagasse (SCB) and Jute as an additive with LLDPE in order to ensure requisite processibility and improvised mechanical properties and even assessing the underlying mechanism to observe the fiber dispersion for rotational molding process. Fourier Transform Infrared Technique (FTIR) and Melt Flow Index (MFI) tests were considered to verify the roto moldability for the prepared bio composites in distinguished concentrations. The results obtained were then characterized mechanically based on tensile and impact strength. Thermal Stability viz. Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) was also investigated to divulge the crystallinity impact of SCB and Jute with LLDPE when compared with pure matrix. Experiments revealed 5% of fiber addition manifested an improvised effect considering roto moldability and mechanical properties of end product.

Automated summary

Rotational molding is a polymer manufacturing technique used to produce hollow and seamless parts with complex geometries. Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) is the most preferred material for this process. This study investigates the use of bio composites made from jute/LLDPE and sugar cane bagasse (SCB)/LLDPE in rotational molding, analyzing processability, mechanical properties, and thermal stability. The addition of fibers, such as SCB and jute, improves the roto moldability and mechanical properties of the end product, with 5% fiber content showing the most significant improvement.