Effect of MAPE on Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Wheat Straw/HDPE Injection Molded Composites

Abstract

The effect of MAPE as compatibilizer on mechanical and morphological properties of a wheat straw/high density polyethylene composite was investigated. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, tensile energy absorption, failure strain, and notched Izod toughness were much higher for composites with compatibilizer as compared with the composites with no compatibilizer. The use of 2% compatibilizer improved the tensile strength as high as 43%, tensile modulus to 116% and impact strength (notched) by 12%. Remarkably improvements were attained even with 1% compatibilizer. There was little difference in the properties obtained between the 1% and 2% compatibilizer. SEM micrographs of tensile fracture surfaces with 2% compatibilizer indicated a continuous failure and the particles are not released from the matrix which is the case in samples without compatibilizer.