Thermal and mechanical properties of maize fibres–high density polyethylene biocomposites

Abstract

In recent years, considerable attention has been given to the development and utilization of natural fibres. This study examines the thermal properties of maize thermomechanical fibre reinforced high density polyethylene composites with competitive mechanical properties. The composites were produced by six different steps, namely: drying, cutting, mixing, compounding, pelletizing and injection moulding. Composite samples with fibre contents in the range 10–40 wt% were chosen to observe their effect on thermal and mechanical properties as the fibre content was increased. Measurements of thermophysical properties were obtained using periodic temperature ramp method. The material characterization was performed on a temperature range that extends from −20℃ to 120℃. It was found that the thermal conductivity and diffusivity of the composites decrease with fibre loading. The results showed that when the temperature is increased, a significant increase of both thermal effusivity and the factor $({\rho }_c{\mathrm{Cp}}_c)$ was observed. A high-quality dispersion and adhesion of maize fibre in the high density polyethylene matrix was indicated by scanning electron microscopy. Good mechanical performance of the obtained composites was established considering the stress transfer at fibre–matrix interface.