Effects of Reprocessing on the Hygroscopic Behavior of Natural Fiber High-Density Polyethylene Composites

Detailed analysis of the effects of recycling process on long-term water absorption, thickness swelling, and water desorption behavior of natural fiber high-density polyethylene composites is reported. Composite materials containing polyethylene and wood flour, rice hulls, or bagasse fibers and 2% compatibilizer were produced at constant fiber loading and were exposed to a simulated recycling process consisting of up to five times grinding and reprocessing under controlled conditions. A wide range of analytical methods including water absorption/desorption tests, thickness swelling tests, density measurement, scanning electron microscopy, image analysis, contact angle, fiber length analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and tensile tests were employed to understand the hygroscopic behavior of the recycled composites. Water absorption and thickness swelling behaviors were modeled using existing predictive models and a mathematical model was developed for water desorption at constant temperature. Results indicated that generally the recycled composites had considerably lower water absorption and thickness swellings as compared with the original composites which were attributed to changes in physical and chemical properties of the composites induced by the recycling process. Water desorption was found to be faster after recycling. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 122: 1258-1267, 2011