Effect of wood filler treatment and EBAGMA compatibilizer on morphology and mechanical properties of low density polyethylene/olive husk flour composites

This paper deals with plastic-wood composites based on low density polyethylene ( LDPE) and olive husk flour (OHF). The problem of incompatibility between the hydrophilic wood filler and the LDPE hydrophobic matrix was treated by two methods: a chemical modification of the olive husk flour with maleic anhydride to esterify the free hydroxyl groups of the wood components and the use of a compatibilizer agent, i. e. an ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (EBAGMA) terpolymer. The changes in the structure, the morphology, and the properties resulting from these treatments were followed by various techniques, especially FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile measurements and water absorption. The experimental results indicated that both methods, i. e. the chemical treatment of the olive husk flour with maleic anhydride and the inclusion of EBAGMA terpolymer, improved the interactions between the two composite components and promoted better dispersion of the filler in the matrix. Moreover, ultimate tensile properties were also increased. However, the use of EBAGMA terpolymer as compatibilizer produced better enhancement of the properties of LDPE/OHF composites compared to those treated with maleic anhydride.