THE EFFECTS OF MALEIC ACID ON SOME MECHANICAL AND END-USE PROPERTIES OF BAMBOO POWDER FILLED LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITES

In all composites, it is necessary to create an adequate interface between the polymer matrix and the fibres (fillers) to generate good stress transfer during loading. When the polymer is non-polar, compatibilizers or coupling agents must be used to improve adhesion between matrix and fibres. In this research work, Maleic acid is thecoupling agent used. The effect of Maleic Acid on some mechanical and end-use properties of Bamboo powder filled low density polyethylene composites was 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 process was repeated with the addition of 2 % (of LDPE weight) of maleic acid to each sample before being extruded. The results showed that the composites containing maleic acid showedbetter mechanical and end-use properties for all filler loadings. The tensile strength and the elongation at break decreased with increasing filler loading for LDPE/BP composites; however, the tensile strength showed substantial improvement in the presence of maleic acid. The addition of maleic acid produced materials with lower void content that decreased the water sorption level with slight increase in thespecific gravity of the composites.