Influence of coupling agent in compatibility of post-consumer HDPE in thermoplastic composites reinforced with eucalyptus fiber

This study investigates the feasibility of using recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) and wood fiber from species Eucalyptus grandis (EU) to manufacture experimental composite panels. The use of maleated polyethylene as coupling agent (CA) improved the compatibility between the fiber and plastic matrix. The mechanical properties of the resultant composites were compared with polymer with and without compatibilizer. The influence of the coupling agent (CA) in the polymer matrices and composites were evaluated at different concentrations, checking the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of wood plastic composites (WPC). Results of mechanical, physical and thermal properties showed that concentration of 3% w/w CA in the polymer matrices was that which showed the best results, but in the composites properties were very similar in all formulations. Based on the findings in this work, it appears that recycled materials can be used to manufacture value-added panels without having any significant adverse influence on material properties

Coir fiber reinforced polypropylene composite panel for automotive interior applications

In this study, physical, mechanical, and flammability properties of coconut fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) composite panels were evaluated. Four levels of the coir fiber content (40, 50, 60, and 70 % based on the composition by weight) were mixed with the PP powder and a coupling agent, 3 wt % maleic anhydride grafted PP (MAPP) powder. The water resistance and the internal bond strength of the composites were negatively influenced by increasing coir fiber content. However, the flexural strength, the tensile strength, and the hardness of the composites improved with increasing the coir fiber content up to 60 wt %. The flame retardancy of the composites improved with increasing coir fiber content. The results suggest that an optimal composite panel formulation for automotive interior applications is a mixture of 60 wt % coir fiber, 37 wt % PP powder, and 3 wt % MAPP