Effects of Coir Fibber Loading on the Physio-mechanical and Morphological Properties of Coconut Shell Powder Filled Low Density Polyethylene Composites

Abstract

Coconut shell filled composites were prepared from recycled low density polyethylene polymer matrix containing up to 15% weight of coconut shell powder as filler. The effect of coir fibre loading on the properties of the composites was then investigated. It was shown that the value of tensile strength, flexural strength and hardness value increased up to 7.1MN/m2,18.0 GPa and 92.7 respectively. Impact energy decreased with increase in fibre length. With the introduction of fiber length from zero to 10 mm, a decrease in density and increase in water absorption was observed. © 2016 The Authors