EFFECTS OF NATURAL FIBERS ON THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH PROPERTIES OF HDPE MATRIX COMPOSITES

The current research reveals the synergistic effect of different ratios of natural fiber concentration and maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MA) compatibilizer on the compressive strength properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix composites. Composites containing flax (FF) and palm (PF) short fibers with different weight ratios were processed by melt blending and then compression tests were performed at a compression speed of 2 mm/min. As a result of the tests, the best compressive strength properties were observed in the composite samples using 10% flax fiber and compatibilizer.