Articles
Effect of waste polyethylene on properties of methyl salicylate treated natural rubber/low density polyethylene/waste polyethylene composites
Authors:
W. D. M. Sampath ,
Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Telawala Road, Ratmalana, LK
I. D. Perera,
University of Jayewardenepura, LK
About I. D.
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Science
D. G. Edirisinghe,
Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Telawala Road, Ratmalana, LK
V. G. M. J. Abhayawardhana
Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Telawala Road, Ratmalana, LK
Abstract
Polymer blending has been employed to enable the reuse of recycled industrial and/or municipal plastic waste. Used polythene sheets, which are considered as waste polyethylene (wPE) are a major threat to the environment and hence recycling of these is a way to reduce environmental pollution. The main aim of this study was to develop natural rubber (NR)/low density polyethylene (LDPE) /wPE composites with improved properties using methyl salicylate as the coupling agent. A series of 70:30 NR:LDPE/wPE composites with methyl salicylate were prepared by replacing LDPE with wPE from 0 (control) -25 phpp (parts per hundred parts of polymer) at 5 phpp intervals. Calcium carbonate, 20 phpp and methyl salicylate, 0.5 phpp were also incorporated into every blend composition. The composites were prepared using a laboratory scale internal mixer by melt mixing at a temperature of 150 0C and a rotor speed of 60 rpm. Physico-mechanical properties and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses of the composites were conducted. Water absorption capacity of the composites was also studied. Incorporation of 20 phpp wPE into NR/virgin LDPE composites improved most of the properties. Strength properties and hardness of the composites containing wPE showed an increasing trend with the increase of wPE loading. Water absorption decreased with the increase of wPE loading. Furthermore, it was evident from the results that all the six composites treated with methyl salicylate are highly flexible. Results in overall indicated that the 70:10:20 NR/LDPE/wPE composite is the best in terms of properties.
How to Cite:
Sampath, W.D.M., Perera, I.D., Edirisinghe, D.G. and Abhayawardhana, V.G.M.J., 2019. Effect of waste polyethylene on properties of methyl salicylate treated natural rubber/low density polyethylene/waste polyethylene composites. Journal of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, 99, pp.95–104. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jrrisl.v99i0.1892
Published on
30 Dec 2019.
Peer Reviewed
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