Effect of Particle Size and Filler Content on Mechanical Properties of Avocado Wood Flour-Low Density Polyethylene Composite

Abstract

The application of natural material excavates from wood source in composite production has increased taking the merit of low cost, readily available and light weight. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of particle size and filler content on the mechanical properties of avocado wood flour-low density polyethylene composite (AWF-LDPE) modified with NaOH/CH₃C00H using Response Surface Methodology. The influence of process parameters (size and weight of avocado wood flour (AWF)) on the properties (elongation, flexural strength, flexural modulus and impact strength) of the produced composite was evaluated. The AWF was injected at the size of particles from 20-100 mesh (850-150 µm) and flour content of 5-25 % wt into low-density polyethylene (LDPE) matrix to produce the composite of AWF-LDPE by the process of the injection molding machine. The optimization for the process parameters and mechanical properties of the composites was done using central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology. The optimum condition for the factors and the properties of the composite were forecast with regression models of CCD. The ultimate process conditions for the process variables were 100 mesh size and 25 % wood flour content, while the properties were 4.8768 % elongation, 41.2921 MPa flexural strength, 0.6614 GPa flexural modulus and 83.384 KJ/m² impact strength. The coefficient of determinations (R²) was close to unity with the maximum error of 0.09139 %. The values obtained from the AWF-LDPE composite at optimum condition indicated that it is recommended for suitable material for particle board in interior part of appliances and automobile application.