%0 Journal Article
%T SOME MECHANICAL AND END-USE PROPERTIES OF BAMBOO POWDER FILLED LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITES
%A Innocent O. Eze
%A Martin U. Obidiegwu
%A Stephen O. Eyarefe
%J Academic Research International
%D 2013
%I 
%X Plastic and bamboo powder can be used to produce composites for the construction industry. This would reduce the pressure on conventional materials such as wood from forest resources. In this research, the effects of bamboo powder filler on some mechanical properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE) composites were studied. Composites of LDPE and bamboo powder (BP) were prepared by melt extrusion using 0, 1, 3, 5 and, 7 % of bamboo powder filler. The results showed that the tensile strength and the elongation at break decreased with increasing filler loading for LDPE composites while the stiffness (modulus) of the composites increased with increasing filler loading. The percentage of water sorption by BP/LDPE composites is so small making these materials still suitable for use in damp environments. Specific gravity determination showed that BP/LDPE composites are very lightmaterials since its specific gravity did not increase too much with respect to LDPE. Bamboo powder incorporation into the LDPE enhanced the flame retardant property of the LDPE.
%K Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
%K Bamboo Powder (BP)
%K Composites
%K Matrix
%K Organic Filler
%U http://www.savap.org.pk/journals/ARInt./Vol.4(2)/2013(4.2-19).pdf