Abstract

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Composites were prepared from recycled low-density polyethylene (RLDPE) and cow hair using melt mixing and compression moulding technique. The fibres were treated with 0.2M H2O2 for improved adhesion. Composites of untreated and treated cow hair fibres were prepared with 0 to 50 wt% fibre loading at intervals of 10 wt% and their mechanical properties were evaluated. Results obtained show a remarkable increase in the tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus of the composites filled with H2O2 treated cow hair fibres. At 30% filler loading of the treated fibres the tensile strength improved from 7.45 MPa to 9.62 MPa. The Tensile Modulus increased from 4.4 MPa to 33.58 MPa at 40 % filler loading. The Flexural strength and flexural modulus markedly improved from 13.29 MPa to 24 MPa and from 67.44 MPa to 292.26 MPa respectively. SEM micrographs of the tensile fractured surfaces revealed enhanced fibre-matrix interfacial adhesion with the modified hair fibres.

Keywords: Recycled low-density Polyethylene, Cow hair fibres, Hydrogen peroxide, Mechanical properties, Morphology