Kevlar Fiber Reinforced Composites Based on Waste Polyethylene: Impact of Ethylene‐Vinyl Acetate and Gamma Irradiation

In this article, we discuss the radiation effects and ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA) as compatibilizing agent on waste polyethylene (WPE)/virgin polyethylene (VPE), 80/20 wt%, reinforced by Kevlar fiber (Aramid). Hence, by melt mixing the compatibility between WPE and VPE will be performed by adding 10 phr fixed weight of EVA. After that various weights of Kevlar fiber at phr 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 were reinforced into prepared polymer blend. The composites mechanical properties and the thermal stability were predicted. Furthermore, infrared and X‐ray diffraction used to characterize the composites structure. Improvements of both tensile strength and elastic modulus of prepared composites at 1.5 phr of Kevlar was observed and decreased in their values were noticed after that. Also, thermal stability has been enhanced with EVA and Kevlar fiber. Remarked improvements in studied parameters were generally determined by formation of crosslinking networks via gamma irradiation.