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Rheological properties of teak wood flour reinforced HDPE and maize starch composites

AbstractTeak wood flour reinforced high density polyethylene and maize starch composites were prepared by using maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene as a compatibilizer. The mechanical properties (tensile and flexural) of all the composites increased after addition of 10%–40% teak wood flour into HDPE matrix. The complex viscosity (?*) was higher for all the composites at the low frequency, but decreased with increasing frequencies indicating a shear thinning behavior of the composites. The storage modulus and loss modulus increased for the composites compared to the HDPE at low frequencies. Damping factor peak of HDPE and composites showed high below 1 Hz, but the peak start decreasing with increasing above 1 Hz. The relaxation behavior of HDPE and the composites after incorporating teak wood flour, maize starch, and compatibilizer was obtained by Han plot. Biodegradability was enhanced with the incorporation of teak wood flour, maize starch into the composites. Appreciable water uptake and the thickness swelling for the composites indicating it's potential for interior, automobile and packaging applications.

Publication date: 15/09/2020

Author: Kishor Biswas, Vinay Khandelwal, Sourindra Maiti

Reference: doi:10.1002/app.49874

Journal of Applied Polymer Science



      

This project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 837761.