Influence of Ethylene-Butyl Acrylate-Glycidyl Methacrylate Terpolymer on Compatibility of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer/Olive Husk Flour Composites

Abstract

The paper reports some results of an experimental study on ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer/olive husk flour (OHF) composites incorporated at various filler ratios (15, 30 and 45 wt%) in the absence and the presence of ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (EBAGMA) terpolymer used as a compatibilizer. The composite samples have been prepared by melt blending and their chemical structure, as well as morphological, mechanical and water absorption properties investigated. It is shown that the compatibility of EVA/OHF composites is improved by the addition of EBAGMA terpolymer. Indeed, FT-IR analysis shows that chemical interactions have occurred between the compatibilizer and the base blend components. Morphological results from SEM shows better dispersion of the wood particles in the EVA matrix and the resulting composite samples exhibit better tensile properties at break and lower water absorption than the uncompatibilized ones. Moreover, the results indicate that the loading concentrations of both OHF and EBAGMA have an effect on the composite properties.

Keywords:

• EVA COPOLYMER
• OLIVE HUSK FLOUR
• COMPOSITES
• EBAGMA
• COMPATIBILITY
• STRUCTURE
• MORPHOLOGY
• TENSILE PROPERTIES
• WATER ABSORPTION