Effect of Electron Beam Irradiation on the Mechanical, Thermal, and Dynamic Mechanical Behavior of Waste Polyethylene - Short Glass Fiber Composites

Abstract

In this study, the effect of electron beam irradiation on the physico-mechanical, thermal, and dynamic properties of short glass fiber (GF)-reinforced waste polyethylene (WPE), virgin high density polyethylene (HDPE), and blends of WPE/HDPE in the ratio 50 : 50 was studied. For comparison, short GFs were irradiated with electron beam separately and the composites were prepared with WPE, HDPE, and blends of WPE with HDPE. Only a single proportion of the GF was used, that is, 50 wt% and dosage of the electron beam was 250 kGy. The results given in this article show that the tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and hardness increased when the composites were subjected to electron beam irradiation. The elongation at break does not undergo any change. The results obtained are also confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Dynamic mechanical properties are also measured for suggesting utilization of these composites for commercial applications.