Mechanical Properties, Swelling Behavior and Morphology Properties of Dynamic Vulcanized Low Density Polyethylene/Natural Rubber/Water Hyacinth Fibers Composites

The effect of dynamic vulcanization and fiber loading on properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/natural rubber (NR)/water hyacinth fibers (WHF) were investigated. In this study, the vulcanized thermoplastics were obtained by in situ dynamic curing of LDPE/NR/WHF composites. The LDPE/NR/WHF composites with different fiber loading were prepared by using Brabender mixer at 180 °C with the rotor speed of 50 rpm. The results showed that dynamic vulcanized LDPE/NR/WHF composites gave a higher tensile strength, Young’s modulus, elongation at break but lower molar sorption than unvulcanized LDPE/NR/WHF composites. The SEM micrographs also displayed better fibers dispersion and the crosslink formation in dynamic vulcanized LDPE/NR/WHF composites indicated better interfacial bonding among fibers and matrix compared to unvulcanized LDPE/NR/WHF composites.