Sains Malaysiana 45(11)(2016): 1733–1739

 

Tensile, Thermal and Water Absorption Properties of Corn Stalk Filled Low Density Polyethylene Composites: Effect of Coconut Oil Coupling Agent

(Sifat Tegangan, Terma dan Penyerapan Air Komposit Batang Jagung Terisi Polietilena

Ketumpatan Rendah: Kesan Agen Pangganding Minyak Kelapa)

 

SALMAH HUSSEINSYAH¹*, KOAY SEONG CHUN², CHAN MING YENG²

& AZIMAH ISMAIL¹

 

¹School of Material Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 02600 Jejawi, Perlis Indera Kayangan

Malaysia

 

²School of Engineering, Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus, No. 1, Jalan Taylor’s,

47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

 

Received: 22 February 2014/Accepted: 5 April 2016

 

ABSTRACT

In this study, the corn stalk (CS) had been utilized as natural filler in low density polyethylene (LDPE). The effect of CS loading and coconut oil coupling agent (COCA) on tensile, thermal and water absorption properties of LDPE/CS composites were investigated. The increases of CS decreased the tensile strength and elongation at break of LDPE/CS composites, but increased in Young’s modulus. The incorporation of CS also contributed to high water uptake of LDPE/CS composites. However, the presence of CS has increased the crystallinity of composites and LDPE matrix due to nucleating effect. The addition of COCA has significantly increased the tensile strength, elongation at break, water resistivity and crystallinity of LDPE/CS composites, but slightly reduced in Young’s modulus. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) also evidence the presence of COCA improved the adhesion between CS and LDPE matrix.

 

Keywords: Coconut oil coupling agent; composites; corn stalk; low density polyethylene

 

ABSTRAK

Dalam kajian ini, batang jagung (CS) telah digunakan sebagai pengisi semula jadi dalam polietilena berketumpatan rendah (LDPE). Kesan pembebanan pengisi CS dan agen pengganding minyak kelapa (COCA) ke atas sifat kekuatan tensil, haba dan penyerapan air komposit LDPE/CS telah dikaji. Peningkatan pembebanan pengisi CS telah mengurangkan kekuatan tegangan dan pemanjangan pada takat putus komposit LDPE/CS, tetapi modulus Young meningkat. Penambahan CS juga menyumbang kepada penyerapan air yang tinggi bagi komposit LDPE/CS. Walau bagaimanapun, kehadiran CS telah menyebabkan penghabluran matriks LDPE yang tinggi, ia disebabkan oleh kesan penukleusan. Penambahan COCA telah meningkatkan kekuatan tegangan, pemanjangan pada takat putus, rintangan terhadap air dan penghabluran komposit LDPE/CS, tetapi modulus Young didapati berkurang. Mikroskop imbasan elektron (SEM) juga menunjukkan bukti kehadiran COCA meningkatkan lekatan antara CS dan matriks LDPE.

 

Kata kunci: Agen pengganding minyak kelapa; batang jagung; komposit; poletilena ketumpatan rendah

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*Corresponding author; email: irsalmah@unimap.edu.my