| Abstract |
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The properties of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibre filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) have been investigated at filler loadings, 0 to 1.5 wt. %. Maleic anhydride–g–polyethylene (MAPE) was used as a compactibilizer. Oil palm empty fruit bunch fibre was prepared at three particle sizes namely, 0.15, 0.212, and 0.30 mm. The HDPE composites were prepared in an injection moulded machine. Results showed that for any given particle size of OPEFB fibre considered, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the HDPE composites decreased with increase in OPEFB loadings. However, the addition of MAPE was found to improve these properties. The hardness, and specific gravity of the composites were found to increase with increase in filler loadings and were further increased on addition of MAPE. The water sorption indices (24-h cold water and 2-h hot water) of the composites also increased with increase in OPEFB loadings, and particle sizes, but were decreased on addition of MAPE. OPEFB fibre was inefficient in reducing the flame propagation rate of HDPE; the incorporation of MAPE into the systems reduced the propagation rate of the composites. |
