Properties of modified calcium carbonate/natural fiber filled polyethylene hybrid foam composites

Abstract

Modified calcium carbonate (CaCO3) filler was analyzed for its thermal, biodegradability and hazardousness of the material to the environment. Then, modified CaCO3/natural fiber filled low density polyethylene (LDPE) hybrid foam composites were produced and characterized for their physical and mechanical properties. Hybrid CaCO3/natural fiber LDPE foam composites were prepared by melt mixing in two roll mill and foaming process was done using hot press at 160 °C with varied amounts of modified CaCO3 filler. Fibers used in this experimental were kenaf, banana pseudostem, coconut coir and pineapple leaf. The amounts of natural fiber were varied from 0 to 40 part per hundred (phr). Biodegradability test using enzymatic and soil burial for modified CaCO3 showed decrease in weight after 30 days of incubation and 49 days (7 Week), respectively. No abnormality showed from animal and terrestrial plant for hazard assessment of modified CaCO3. Sample containing 10 phr of modified CaCO3 filler showed the highest value of flexural strength which was 289.22 MPa. For all samples, increasing the modified CaCO3 filler increased the compressive strength of the foam composite. Density of foam composites increased with increasing the amount of modified CaCO3 filler and all types of fiber loading. The effect of kenaf fiber loading showed 15 phr of fiber represented the highest value of flexural strength which was 1531.30 MPa. Increasing fiber loading into foam composite resulted in decreasing flexural strength and cause lowered the compressive strength. Effects of different types of fiber on foam composites were evaluated. Kenaf showed the highest flexural strength which was 1531.30 MPa and coconut coir fiber showed the highest result which was 51.23 MPa for compressive strength.