Physical, Static and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Waste Paper Reinforced Waste High Density Polyethylene Biocomposite

Abstract

Tajudeen Kolawole Bello, Muhammed Tijani Isa, Solomon Olayinka Falope

This paper presents the physical, static, and dynamic mechanical properties of a biocomposite fabricated from wastepaper reinforced in waste high-density polyethylene. The produced composites had varying amounts of shredded waste paper from 0 to 50 wt% at an interval of 10wt%. The size-reduced paper was mixed with the waste high-density polyethylene in a two-roll mill set at 160 ^oC and 79 rev/min. The mixture was then compressed to 4 MPa at 150 ^oC and allowed to cure at 60 ^oC for 24 hrs. The results obtained indicated that water absorption increased with filler content due the hydrophilic nature of natural fibers, tensile stress and strain however reduced. Modulus of elasticity recorded the highest value at 40 wt% wastepaper in the composite. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed that at 40 ^oC, the 40 wt% recorded the highest storage modulus, greater than unreinforced material by 40%. Higher filler content recorded increase in damping parameter of the materials. Increasing filler content also introduced a new glass transition behavior. The new glass transition (α) Tg was detected between 120 ^oC and 145 ^oC. Although elongation increased with temperature, it decreased with filler content. These properties contribute to establishing concept of waste reuse and recycling as a viable technique in sustainable engineering.