Physico-mechanical characteristics of horsehair/jute fiber-based nonwoven fabric reinforced LLDPE composites: Effect of alkali treatment and maleic anhydride

Horsehair/jute fiber reinforced linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) laminated composites were prepared by compression molding using the film-stacking method. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of modifying reinforcement materials through alkaline treatment and incorporating maleated coupling agent on the mechanical, morphological, degradation performance, and water absorption properties of composites. Horsehair, which constitutes approximately 70% of the reinforcing material, preserved its keratin structure after alkaline treatments (NaOCI and NaOH) and the scale layer became more prominent. The alkali treatment slightly improved the mechanical properties of the composites but led to an increase in water uptake. The maleated coupling agent was included in the composite structure as a sheet. The compatibilizer significantly enhanced the tensile and flexural properties while also reducing water uptake of the composites. The greatest enhancement in mechanical properties was attained when alkaline treatment and compatibilizer were utilized in conjunction.