The Influence of Nanoclay on the Performance of HDPE/ Wheat Straw Powder Composite Produced by Two Stage Mixing Process

Abstract

The influence of nanoclay addition on the strength properties of HDPE/ Wheat straw powder Composite was investigated. Composites compounds were produced using 73%HDPE, 25% wheat straw powder and 2% MAPE and three amounts of nanoclay (1, 2, and 3% of composite compound). First, HDPE and nanoclay was melt- mixed and after cooling, the extrudate was milled to fine granules. This granules were then melt compounded with pre-weighted amount of wheat straw powder and MAPE followed by injection moulding to produce test specimens. The flexural, tensile and impact strength were measured. The results showed that the addition of nanoclay to the composite improved flexural strength and modulus, tensile strength and modulus. However the notched Izod strength was reduced.

Keywords

• Nanoclay
• Composite
• Flexural strength
• tensile strength
• wheat straw powder