The Influence of Zalacca Short-Fiber Addition with Random Orientation on the Characteristics of Low-density Polyethylene Matriced Composites

• Published in: IOP conference series. Materials Science and Engineering 2021-03, Vol.1096 (1), p.12031
• Main Authors: Raharjo, W P, Ariawan, D, Kusharjanta, B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Composite materials; Damping capacity; Degree of crystallinity; Density; Differential thermal analysis; Fibers; Flexural strength; Fractures; Low density polyethylenes; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Tensile strength; Thermal stability
• ISSN: 1757-8981; 1757-899X
• DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/1096/1/012031

The aim of this research is to study the influence of zalacca fiber addition on physical, chemical, and mechanical characteristics of LDPE matriced composites fabricated by hot-pressing method. The fibers were short, random-oriented and varied as 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt. %. The examinations included density testing, XRD, TGA-DTA, tensile and flexural testing, SEM and DMA. There was a reduction in composite density due to fiber loading. The zalacca fiber addition did not change degree of crystallinity of composites significantly. There was a bit decrease in thermal stability caused by fiber addition. The composite tensile strength and modulus of elasticity were enhanced with addition of zalacca fibers up to 40 wt. %. Tensile strength and elastic modulus declined due to further addition of fibers. At 40 wt. % fiber loading, there were several fiber fractures indicating that the applied load was borne effectively by the fibers after transferred from LDPE matrix. The fiber loading induced a meaningful improvement of flexural strength and modulus. There was a raise in storage and viscous modulus of composites due to fiber addition. However, fiber loading decreased loss factor, thereby reducing their damping capacity.