Investigation of the usability of laurel waste in thermoplastic composite production

Abstract

In this study, the usability of laurel waste in thermoplastic composite production was investigated. After the laurel branch waste and leaf waste were ground and sieved, they were added to high-density polyethylene (HDPE) at a rate of 0-10-20-40% by weight and mixed in an extruder. Then, boards with dimensions of 250x250x3 mm were produced from the mixtures according to the hot press molding technique. As a result of adding branch and leaf flour to neat HDPE, tensile strength decreased. The tensile strength was determined as 22.28 MPa in the HDPE board and 8.6 MPa in the 40% leaf flour added board. As a result of adding branch and leaf flour to neat HDPE, bending strength first increased and then decreased. The highest flexural strength was determined as 30.3 MPa with 10% leaf flour additive, and the lowest bending strength was determined as 21.68 MPa with 40% leaf flour additive. According to Shore D test results, branch flour and leaf flour increased the hardness of neat HDPE. According to the thermal analysis results, it was seen that the effect of branch flour and leaf flour on the thermal properties of HDPE was limited. In addition, scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that HDPE and branch flour mixed better.