Durian peels fiber and recycled HDPE composites obtained by extrusion

Abstract

Durian peel fibers were used in this study and polymer of recycled yhigh density polyethylene (HDPE) from bottles were employed as matrix into composites, which were produced from several durian peel fiber contents (5%, 10%, 15% and 20 %) at different compression temperatures of 170, 180, 190 and 200°C. This paper discusses the influence of durian fiber content and compressed temperature on the mechanical properties of recycled HDPE/durian peel fiber composites. Composites of neat High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and durian peel fiber were prepared by successive twin screw extrusion blending. The mechanical properties of the composites; elasticity modulus, tensile strength, impact strength and hardness, were investigated. FT-IR spectra of durian peel fiber are reported. It was found that 10% durian fiber content at compressed temperature of 180 °C is the optimized condition to produce recycled HDPE/durian peel fiber composite. It was also found that the elasticity modulus of HDPE/durian peel fibers is higher than the elasticity modulus of neat HDPE. These findings suggest that incorporating durian peel fibers can be an alternative solution when trying to improve the elasticity modulus behavior of recycled polyethylene.