Physical and Mechanical Properties of Rapeseed Waste-filled LLDPE Composites

Abstract

Flat-pressed composites using linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and rapeseed waste were made by hot pressing. This study investigated the effects of filler loading on the flexural and physical properties of rapeseed-filled thermoplastic polymer composite panels. The modulus of elasticity and flexural strength were mainly influenced by the filler content. The flexural strength was shown to decrease significantly with an increase in the filler content, while the flexural modulus increased insignificantly. With the increase of the filler content, the water absorption and the thickness swelling were increased significantly due to the strong hydrophilicity of lignocellulosic filler. Water absorption was proved to follow the kinetics of a Fickian diffusion process. The swelling model presented by Shi and Gardner [(2006). Hygroscopic Thickness Swelling Rate of Compression Molded Wood Fiberboard and Wood Fiber/polymer Composites, Composite Part A Applied Science and Manufacturing, 37(9): 1276—1285] provided a very good prediction of the hygroscopic swelling process of rapeseed/LLDPE composite panels.