ABSTRACT
The effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treated pineapple leaf powder (PALP) on the mechanical properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were studied. HDPE and PALP (untreated, and treated) composites were prepared by injection moulding technique. The filler (PALP) contents investigated were 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 wt %. Results showed that the tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, abrasion resistance, and hardness of the composites increased with increases in filler content for all the filler contents investigated, while the elongation at break (EB) for PALP/HDPE composites was found to decrease with increases in filler content for all the filler contents investigated. It was observed from the results that H2O2 treated PALP/HDPE composites exhibited better mechanical properties than the untreated PALP/HDPE composites for all filler contents investigated. The present study has shown that surface treatment of PALP with H2O2 has proved to be an efficient alternative in bringing about an improved adhesion/compatibility between PALP and HDPE, thereby improving the mechanical properties of the composites.
