RECYCLED HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE/ETHYLENE VINYL ACETATE/TARO POWDER COMPOSITES: THE EFFECT OF POLYETHYLENE-GRAFTED-MALEIC ANHYDRIDE ON TENSILE PROPERTIES AND THERMAL STABILITY

Taro powder (TP) filled composites based on recycled high density polyethylene (RHDPE)/ ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) were prepared via melt blending method. Polyethylene-grafted-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MAH) was used as a compatibilizer to enhance interfacial bonding of RHDPE/EVA/TP composites. The effects of TP loading and the addition of PE-g-MAH on the tensile properties and thermal stability of RHDPE/EVA/TP composites were investigated and studied. Findings indicated that increased TP loading will reduce tensile strength and elongation at break while increasing the modulus of elasticity. The thermal stability of RHDPE/EVA/TP composites improved by increasing filler loading. With respect to both tensile properties and thermal stability, RHDPE/EVA/TP composites with PE-g-MAH performed better than the composites without the addition of compatibilizers.