Enhancement of Polyolefins Compatibility with Natural Fibers through Chemical Modification

Abstract

In the current study, polyethylene (PE) was used as representative example of polyolefins and has been chemically modify through grafting with maleic anhydride. Conditions of the chemical modification process have been adjusted to obtain higher grafting yield with maleic anhydride and the obtained product has been characterized with conventional techniques such as FT-IR spectroscopy as well as with some chemical tests. A suitable amount of saw dust as representative example of natural fibers has been collected and prepared in the normal way to be suitable for casting with PE to attain Wood Plastic Composite (WPC). The obtained materials have been tested regarding their some mechanical, physical and chemical characteristics.