Fabrication of Cellulose Based Reinforced Linear Low Density Polyethylene with Polyethylene Terephthalate Composite: Effect of <i> Acacia catechu </i> as Coupling Agent

Abstract

Biodegradable reinforced composites are playing a vital role in the variety of application for their outstanding performance. Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) and Polyethylene Tere-phthalate (PET) blends were prepared by twin screw extruder in different composition. The mechanical properties in 10% PET with LLDPE blend showed the best results where as tensile strength (TS) 9 MPa and percentage elongation at break (%Eb) 33. Cellulose based reinforced PET + LLDPE composite were prepared by compression molding with the optimized jute content 62% that revealed the highest mechanical properties. Cellulose based composites treated with Acacia catechu (AC) solutions (0.1% - 5% w/v) at different soaking time (2 - 20 min.) where observed significant improvement of the mechanical properties. Cellulose treated with 0.1% AC for 2 minutes soaking time depicted the highest mechanical properties and TS is 115% higher than untreated. Composite prepared with 0.1% AC treated showed the best mechanical properties as tensile strength (TS), bending strength (BS), tensile modulus (TM) and bending modulus (BM) were to be 47 MPa, 39 MPa, 1220 MPa and 1784 MPa respectively. The properties of TS, BS, TM and BM were improved as 9%, 30%, 14% and 34% respectively, which were better to untreated composite. Electrical properties such as dielectric constant and loss of the treated and untreated composites were found to be higher dielectric constant of treated jute composite than that of untreated samples. Water uptake and soil degradation of untreated and treated composites performed in significant study. The effect of AC with cellulose composites has found in remarkable changes in the mechanical properties.