Low-density polyethylene/sugarcane fiber composites from recycled polymer and treated fiber by steam explosion

ABSTRACT

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) has caused serious environmental damages, and it has been a challenge for waste management in large cities. The LDPE recycling as composites with natural fibers such as sugarcane fibers (SCF) has been an interesting alternative to conciliate economic aspects with environmental benefits. In this study, SCF has been treated by steam explosion and incorporated to low-density polyethylene waste (LDPEW) to generate LDPEW/SCF composites with higher fiber/polymer interaction and improved mechanical properties. LDPEW/SCF composites with fibers content until 20 wt% showed mechanical properties with performance adequate for nobler applications when compared to the isolated recycled LDPEW.

摘要

低密度聚乙烯（LDPE）对环境造成了严重的危害，对大城市的垃圾管理提出了挑战。LDPE再生与天然纤维如甘蔗纤维复合材料（SCF）已调解经济方面的环境效益的一个有趣的选择。在这项研究中，SCF被蒸汽爆破处理和合并低密度聚乙烯废弃物（LDPEW）产生LDPEW / SCF高纤维/聚合物相互作用和改进的机械性能的复合材料。LDPEW / SCF复合材料纤维含量20 wt%显示直到高贵的应用性能足够的机械性能相比于离体再生LDPEW。

KEYWORDS:

• Sugarcane fibers
• steam explosion
• low-density polyethylene
• recycling

关键词:

• 甘蔗纤维
• 蒸汽爆破
• 低密度聚乙烯
• 回收利用.

List of Abbreviated Forms:

LDPE Low-Density Polyethylene

SCF Sugarcane Fibers

LDPEW Low-Density Polyethylene Waste

LDPEW/SCF Composites produced from Low-Density Polyethylene Waste and . . Sugarcane Fibers

PE-g-MA Polyethylene-Grafted with Maleic Anhydride

SEM Scanning Electronic Microscopy

TGA Thermogravimetric Analyzes

DSC Differential Scan Calorimetry

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank the TECNOVAL S.A for supplying the materials and CAPES and FAPESP (Proc. 2012/13715-5) for financial support.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.