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Journal of Bionic Engineering ›› 2018, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (3): 558-566.doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42235-018-0046-4

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Production and Characterization of High Density Polyethylene Reinforced by Eucalyptus Capsule Fibers

Wafa Ouarhim1, 2, Mohammed-Ouadi Bensalah2, Denis Rodrigue3, Hamid Essabir1*, Rachid Bouhfid1, Abou el kacem Qaiss1   

  1. 1. Moroccan Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research (MAScIR), Institute of Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology (NANOTECH), Laboratory of Polymer Processing, Rabat, Morocco
    2. Faculty of Science, Laboratory of Mechanic and Materials (LMM), Mohammed V-Rabat, University, Rabat, Morocco
    3. Department of Chemical Engineering and CERMA, Université Laval, Quebec G1V0A6, Canada
  • Received:2016-12-01 Revised:2018-01-23 Online:2018-05-10 Published:2018-01-26
  • Contact: Hamid Essabir E-mail:h.essabir@mascir.com
  • About author:Wafa Ouarhim1, 2, Mohammed-Ouadi Bensalah2, Denis Rodrigue3, Hamid Essabir1*, Rachid Bouhfid1, Abou el kacem Qaiss1

Abstract: In this work, Eucalyptus Capsule Fibers (ECF) are proposed as a new natural fiber reinforcement to produce bio-composites due to their biological origin, specific smell and color. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is used as the matrix to compare three reinforcement types, raw ECF, alkali treated ECF, and ECF treated with PE-graft-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) as a coupling agent at three concentra-tions (5 wt.%, 10 wt%, and 15 wt%). A complete set of characterization is performed including tension, torsion, hardness, Melt Flow Index (MFI), Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Contact Angle (CA), Scanning Electron Mi-croscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The results show that the best me-chanical and rheological improvements are obtained by using the coupling agent with alkali treated fibers.

Key words: polyethylene, mechanical properties, alkaline treatment, coupling agent, eucalyptus capsule fibers