Physico-Mechanical, Thermal and Morphological Studies of Saw Palmetto Spent - HDPE Composites

Papegowda Pradeep Kumar

Abstract: Composites of Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) spent (SPS) with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) were prepared by using 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt % SPS and their tensile, flexural, impact strengths, abrasion resistance, surface hardness, water absorption, density and thermal properties were studied. Addition of SPS affected the tensile, flexural and Izod impact strengths of the composites but tensile modulus of HDPE/SPS composites increased from 609.7 to 713.9 N/mm2. Heat distortion temperature increased from 62 to 67 ? C. Slight variation was observed in surface hardness, abrasion resistance, density and water absorption due to incorporation of SPS. There was only marginal variation in melt flow index of composites.

Keywords: Sawpalmetto; High density polyethylene; Tensile properties; Flexural properties; Abrasion resistance; Injection molding