Evaluation of the Flexural Strength, Sorption, Rheological and Thermal Properties of Corncob Plastic Composites |
( Vol-5,Issue-12,December 2018 ) OPEN ACCESS |
Author(s): |
Olufemi O. Adefisan, Armando G. McDonald |
Keywords: |
Corncobs, flexural properties, particle size, plastic composites. |
Abstract: |
Plastic composites were made from corncobs and high density polyethylene (HDPE) by extrusion and evaluated. The composites were manufactured using two different screened corncob particle size fractions (<2 mm and <0.5 mm) and tested for flexural properties, water sorption, melt flow and thermal properties. The melt viscosities at 190oC were 18.0 ± 0.8 kPa•s (<2 mm) and 24.0 ± 0.6 kPa•s (<0.5 mm). The results obtained indicated that the composites made with the smaller particle size fraction had higher flexural strength (31.7 ± 1.7 MPa) and modulus of elasticity (1.4 ± 0.1 GPa) than those made with the larger particle size fraction (21.2 ± 1.4 MPa and 1.1 ± 0.1 GPa). Also, the composites made with the smaller particles and were more dimensionally stable. Corncob composites had thermal stability range of 259 – 274oC (onset degradation temperature). The corncob composites made with smaller sized particles possessed better properties in comparison with those made from the <2 mm. Particle size and density significantly affected the mechanical, physical and thermal properties of the composites evaluated. |
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Advanced Engineering Research and Science