Evaluation of the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Polyethylene/Corn Stalk Fiber Composites Used in the Packaging Industry

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Wood Industry, Malayer Branch, Islamic Azad University, Malayer, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Wood Industry, Technical and Vocational University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Across the world, in an effort to reduce the use of plastic in packaging and its detrimental environmental impacts, innovative actions such as the production of composites are being undertaken. In this research, polyethylene was used as the polymer matrix, corn stalk fibers were used as the reinforcing agent, and maleic anhydride was used as a compatibilizer. The main objective of this study was to investigate the mechanical and physical properties of the produced composite material by varying the percentage and length of the corn stalk fibers. In this research, 20%, 30%, and 40% contents of corn stalk fibers were used in the composite product. Additionally, two different fiber length levels were tested, using mesh sizes of 40 and 80. Additionally, 5% of the compatibilizer maleic anhydride was also added to the product. The results have shown that the composite material with longer fiber lengths and higher fiber content (percentage) exhibited the highest moisture absorption. As the length of the fibers increased, the elongation or tensile strain of the samples decreased in the tensile strength tests. The findings show that longer fibers in the product increase the resistance to elongation or tensile deformation. In the flexural strength testing, increasing both the length and the percentage of the fibers led to an increase in the flexural modulus of the composite. The use of longer fibers and higher fiber content in the product leads to an increase in the flexural modulus of the composite. The results of this research show that varying the percentage and length of the corn stalk fibers in the polyethylene composite has a significant impact on the mechanical and physical properties of the material. Increasing the fiber length and percentage can improve moisture absorption and enhance resistance to dimensional and flexural changes in the composite.
 

Keywords

Main Subjects

Smiley face

References

  • Friedrich, “Success factors of Wood-Plastic Composites (WPC) as sustainable packaging material: A cross-sector expert study,” Sustainable Production and Consumption, vol. 30 pp. 506-517. 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2021.12.030
  • H. Duku, S. Gu, and E. B. Hagan, “A comprehensive review of biomass resources and biofuels potential in Ghana,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev vol. 15, pp. 404-415, 2011.

 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.09.033

  • G. Chuah, A. G. K. Wan Azlina, Y. Robiah, and R. Omar, “Biomass as the renewable energy sources in Malaysia: an overview,” Int. J. Green Energy, vol. 3, pp. 323-346, 2006.

 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01971520600704779

  • Akgül, C. Güler, and Y. Çöpür, “Certain physical and mechanical properties of medium density fiberboards manufactured from blends of corn (Zea mays indurata Sturt.) stalks and pine (Pinus nigra) wood,” TURK J AGRIC FOR, vol 34 pp. 197-206. 2010. DOI: 10.3906/tar-0902-26
  • C. Ching, A. Rahman, K. Y. Ching, N. L. Sukiman, and H. C. Cheng, “Preparation and characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-based composite reinforced with nanocellulose and nanosilica,” BioRes, vol 10, pp. 3364-3377, 2015. DOI: 10.15376/biores.10.2.3364-3377
  • Awais, Y. Nawab, A. Amjad, A. Anjang, H. M. Akil, and M. S. Z. Abidin, “Environmental benign natural fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites: A review,” Compos. C: Open Access, vol. 4, pp. 100082. 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomc.2020.100082
  • J. SepidehDam, “Investigating the characteristics of wood-plastic composite products in packaging,” J. Packag. Sci. Tech., vol. 2, pp 1-12, 1390, (In Persian).
  • Khonsari, H. R. Taghiyari, A. Karimi, and M. Tajvidi, “Study on the effects of wood flour geometry on physical and mechanical properties of wood-plastic composites,” Maderas. Ciencia y tecnología, vol. 17, pp. 545-558, 2015. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-221X2015005000049
  • F. Ashby, and D. CEBON, “Materials selection in mechanical design,” Le Journal de Physique IV, 3(C7), C7-1. 2011.
  • Tajvidi, S. Haghdan, and S. K. Najafi, “Physical properties of novel layered composites of wood flour and PVC,” J. Reinf. Plast. Compos. vol. 27, pp. 1759-1765, 2008.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/07316844080270160101

  • Tanasă, M.Zănoagă, C. A. Teacă, M. Nechifor, and A. Shahzad, “Modified hemp fibers intended for fiber reinforced polymer composites used in structural applications—A review. I. Methods of modification,” Polym. Compos., vol. 41, pp. 5-31, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.25354
  • Bouafif, A. Koubaa, P. Perre, and  A. Cloutier, “Effects of  fiber  characteristics on the physical and mechanical properties of  wood  plastic composites,” Composites: Part A, vol. 40, pp. 1975-1981, 2009.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2009.06.003

  • Zhou, M. Fan, and L. Chen, “Interface and bonding mechanisms of plant fibre composites: An overview,” Compos. B: Eng., vol. 101, pp. 31-45, 2016.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2016.06.055

  • Mallakpour and M. Madani, “A review of current coupling agents for modification of metal oxide nanoparticles,” Prog. Org. Coat., vol. 86, pp. 194-207, 2015.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2015.05.023

  • Graziano, O. A. Titton Dias, B.Sena Maia, and L. Li, “Enhancing the mechanical, morphological, and rheological behavior of polyethylene/polypropylene blends with maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene,” Polym Eng Sci, vol. 61, pp. 2487-2495, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pen.25775
  • Prachayawarakorn, P. Sangnitidej, and P. Boonpasith, “Properties of thermoplastic rice starch composites reinforced by cotton fiber or low-density polyethylene,” Carbohydr. Polym., vol. 81, pp. 425-433, 2010.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2010.02.041

  • Arbelaiz, B. Fernandez, J. A. Ramos, A. Retegi, R. Llano-Ponte, and I. Mondragon, “Mechanical properties of short flax fibre bundle/polypropylene composites: Influence of matrix/fibre modification, fibre content, water uptake and recycling,” Compos. Sci. Technol., vol. 65, pp. 1582-1592, 2005.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2005.01.008

  • Sudhakara, D. Jagadeesh, Y. Wang, C. V. Prasad, A. K. Devi, G., Balakrishnan,... and J.I. Song, “Fabrication of Borassus fruit lignocellulose fiber/PP composites and comparison with jute, sisal and coir fibers,” Carbohydr. Polym., vol. 98, pp. 1002-1010, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.06.080
  • N. Azwa, B. F. Yousif, A. C. Manalo, and W. Karunasena, “A review on the degradability of polymeric composites based on natural fibres,” Materials and Design, vol. 47, pp. 424–442, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2012.11.025
  • Kazemi Najafi, E. Hamidinia, and M. Tajvidi, “Mechanical properties of composites fromsawdust and recycled plastics,” J. Appl. Polym. Sci., vol. 100, pp. 3641–3645, 2006.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/app.23159

  • Kazemi Najafi, M. Mostafazadeh, M. Chaharmahali, and M. Tajvidi, “The effects of filler content and water absorption on creep behavior of HDPE waste/MDF flour composites,” Iran. J. Polym. Sci. Technol., vol. 21, pp. 53-59, 2008.
  • Migneault, A. Koubaa, F. Erchiqui, A. Chaala, K. Englund, and M. P. Wolcott, “Effects of processing method and fiber size on the structure and properties of wood–plastic composites,” Compos Part A, vol. 40, pp. 80-85, 2009.

 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2008.10.004

  • R. Sanadi, J. F. Hunt, D. F. Caulfield, G. Kovacsvolgyi, and B. Destree, “High fiber-low matrix composites: kenaf fiber/polypropylene,” In Proceedings of 6th International Conference on Woodfiber-Plastic Composites,  pp. 15-16, May 2001.
  • Yu, J. Ren, J. He, L. Su, and F. Liu, “Effect of compatibilizer on the structure and property of polycarbonate/polypropylene alloys,” J. Appl. Polym. Sci., vol. 139, e52957, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/app.52957
  • Antypas, and A. Dyachenko, “Physical and mechanical properties analysis of wood-waste composite panels,” Mater. Plast, vol. 59 61-72. 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37358/MP.22.2.5585

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 11 February 2024
  • Revise Date: 04 March 2024
  • Accept Date: 14 May 2024

Share

How to cite

Statistics