Effect of Fiber Loading on Thermal Properties of Cellulosic Washingtonia Reinforced HDPE Biocomposites
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Date
2023
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Polymers
Abstract
In this research work, we aim to study the effect of the incorporation of vegetable fiber rein-
forcement on the thermo-mechanical and dynamic properties of a composite formed by a polymeric
matrix reinforced with cellulosic fibers with the various Washingtonia fiber (WF) loadings (0%, 10%,
20%, and 30% by wt%) as reinforced material in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) Biocomposites to
evaluate the optimum fiber loading of biocomposites. In addition, several characterization techniques
(i.e., thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical
analysis (DMA), and thermal mechanical analysis (TMA)) were used to better understand the charac-
teristics of the new composites prepared. With these techniques, we managed to verify the rigidity
and thermal stability of the composites so elaborated, as well as the success of the polymer and the
structural homogeneity of the obtained biocomposites. Hence, the biocomposite with the best ratio
(HDPE/20WF) showed a loss modulus (E′′) of 224 MPa, a storage modulus (E′) of 2079 MPa, and a
damping factor (Tanδ) of 0.270 to the glass transition (Tg) of 145 ◦C. In addition, thermomechanical
analysis (TMA) of the biocomposite samples exhibited marginally higher Ts compared to the HDPE
matrix. The best results were recorded with biocomposites with 20% WF, which showed better
thermal properties. This composite material can be used as insulation in construction materials
(buildings, false ceilings, walls, etc.).
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