Performance of Coconut Fibre Particles as a Filler Material and High-density Polyethylene as Matrix in Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC)

This chapter investigated the performance of coconut fibre particles as a filler material and high-density polyethylene as matrix in polymer matrix composites (PMC). Good thermal conductivity, insulation, thermal stability, and mechanical properties are highly desired for the application of HDPE composites in electrical and electronic fields. The filler material was used in three different particle sizes to create the composite samples, and its volume concentration ranged from 0% to 40%. Injection moulding was used to create the composite samples, which were then kept at room temperature for 48 hours prior to testing in order to encourage stress relaxation. The methodology of this research employs experimental and analytical methods to investigate tensile strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, impact strength and hardness value of coconut fibre particles reinforced high-density polyethylene composite at different volume fractions and particle sizes. The test specimens were prepared and tested in accordance with ASTM standards D638, D790, D256, and D785 for tensile strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, impact strength and Rockwell hardness respectively. At optimum condition of volume fractions and particle sizes of coconut fibre-filler, the coconut fibre reinforced HDPE (CFRP) has 28.6 MPa, 800 MPa, 22.3 MPa, 55.0 J/m and 54.0 HR as optimum value for tensile strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, impact strength and hardness. It can be concluded from the results obtained that the Coconut fibre reinforced HDPE showed improved performance for applications of HDPE. Developed composites have shown improved mechanical properties as compared with the unreinforced high-density polyethylene resin. Developed composites can be applied for applications requiring energy absorbtion and dissipation such as autobodies.