Effects of Polyethylene-g-maleic Anhydride on Properties of Low Density Polyethylene/ Thermoplastic Sago Starch Reinforced Kenaf Fibre Composites

Effects of polyethylene-g-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) as a compatibilizer ontensile properties and morphology of low density polyethylene/thermoplasticsago starch (TPSS)-kenaf fibre composites were studied. TPSS was preparedby mixing the starch (65 wt%) and glycerol (35 wt%) and storing it overnight at roomtemperature. The mixture was then melt-compounded using a heated 2 roll-mills at150°C for 20 min. LDPE/TPSS blend ratio was fixed at 80 wt% of LDPE and 20 wt% ofTPSS. LDPE/TPSS-kenaf fibre composites with different fibre loadings, with andwithout the addition of PE-g-MA were prepared by using an internal mixer at 150°C. Allmixings were carried out for 20 min at a rotor speed of 50 rpm. Tensile test specimenswere cut out from the compression moulded sheets. Results indicated that the tensilestrength and Young s modulus of LDPE/TPSS-kenaf fibre composites with the additionof PE-g-MA were greater than the composites without the addition of PE-g-MAparticularly at higher fibre loading. The interfacial properties between LDPE, TPSS andfibre were improved after the addition of PE-g-MA as it is evident from the tensile surfacefracture morphology using a scanning electron microscopy. Equilibrium wateruptakes for LDPE/TPSS-kenaf fibre composites were higher than those ofLDPE/TPSS-kenaf fibre composites with the addition of PE-g-MA due to lowerabundance of hydrogen group.