Mechanical Properties of Polymer Composites Reinforced with Alkaline-Treated Natural Fibre

Abstract

The mechanical characteristics of a high impact polyethylene composite (HIPC) reinforced with abaca fibre (AF) are investigated in relation to fibre loading. An alkaline behaviour was used to improve the characteristics of the abaca fibre. With a fibre length of 100 mm, five different fibre loadings of the abaca fibre were used to create the samples of the composite (25, 35, 45, 55, and 65 wt percent). The object was made using compression moulding with unidirectional fibre orientation. The influence of fibre loading was investigated using tensile, hardness, and density tests. In an experiment, it was shown that with 55 percent fibre loading, tensile strength was 312 percent higher than without, and Young’s modulus was 545 percent higher than without. While this was happening, the hardness and density of the AF/PE composites were found to be quite similar, with minor increases from 25 wt percent to 65 wt percent AF loading in comparison to the control sample’s zero wt percent AF loading. 67.42 Shore-D and 1.014 g/cm3 are the highest values. The alkaline treatment of the AF/PE composite had a substantial influence on mechanical characteristics, according to the findings.