Development and analysis of high density poly ethylene (HDPE) nano SiO2 and wood powder reinforced polymer matrix hybrid nano composites

The Hybrid composites are the emerging materials which uses two or more reinforced particles or fibres simultaneously. As potential applications of the composites, wood reinforced thermoplastic composites are commercially attractive for high volume applications, but their properties can be enhanced by adding Nano SiO2 particles. Wood powder and nano SiO2 were mixed with high density polyethylene as matrix material. Wood powder with fixed 5wt. % and Nano SiO2 with varying weight % (3, 5, 7wt. %) are reinforced in HDPE to manufacture composite materials by compression moulding process. Mechanical properties including tensile strength, flexural strength and Izod impact strength were evaluated and it was revealed that tensile strength and flexural strength were obtained maximum at 5wt. % of Nano SiO2 and impact strength was obtained maximum at 3wt. % of Nano SiO2.