Mechanical and dynamic mechanical characterization of groundnut shell powder filled recycled high density polyethylene composites

Abstract

Groundnut shell powder (GSP) reinforced recycled high density polyethylene composites were developed via melt mixing and compression moulding techniques. GSP was alkaline treated to increase its compatibility with the polymer matrix. The developed composites were subjected to mechanical properties test and thermal characterization using 242E dynamic mechanical analyzer. Results obtained indicated an enhancement in mechanical properties of the recycled high density polyethylene composites compared to the unreinforced (control sample). Similarly, dynamic mechanical properties results showed that the storage modulus of all the composites increase with increase in weight percentage of GSP incorporated. The energy dissipation in form of heat (loss modulus) and damping peaks (Tan ∂) values were found to be reduced with the incorporation of alkaline treated GSP which implies an improvement in thermal stability and load bearing capacity of the composites.