The Effects of Filler Content and Water Absorption on Creep Behavior of HDPE Waste/MDF Flour Composites

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

The influence of flour content and immersion time in water on the creep behavior of composites made from high density polyethylene (HDPE) waste and MDF (medium density fiberboard) flour was investigated. Mixing was carried out by a twin screw extruder and the sample was manufactured by flat hot press. Firstly, the modulus of elasticity and bending strength of various MDF flour-polyethylene composites (WPCs) were measured before performing the creep test. It was shown that the modulus of WPCs increases with an increase in MDF flour content from 60 to 70% and then decreases
as the flour content reaches 80%. It is found that the bending strengths of WPCs significantly and linearly decrease with the increase in flour content from 60 to 80%. The results showed that, the creep strain decreases as the lignocellulosic flour level increases. Water absorption has negative effect on creep behavior of MDF flour/HDPE composites. For all filler contents, it can be seen that the creep strain increases when the immersion time increases.

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