Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Compatibilized Composites of LDPE and Esterified Unbleached Wood Pulp

Wood pulp has been esterified and blended with low density polyethylene (LDPE) along with LDPE grafted maleic anhydride as compatibilizer. The mechanical and thermal properties of the blends were measured and compared with neat LDPE. The mechanical properties improved due to the addition of compatibilizer. In all cases, an optimal compatibilizer content was observed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed better adhesion between LDPE and treated wood pulp. SEM micrographs showed ductile fracture morphology for lower loadings of esterified wood pulp while for higher loadings, the specimen exhibited predominantly brittle fracture. Thermal analysis revealed that weight loss is higher for compatibilized composites. The obtained experimental results were analyzed using predictive theories which indicated better interaction between the LDPE and treated wood pulp. POLYM. COMPOS., 32:199-209, 2011. (C) 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers