Effect of Fiber Loading on the Mechanical Properties of Millet Husk Filled High Density Polyethylene Composites

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of fiber loading on the mechanical properties of millet husk (MH) filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) thermoplastic composites. Three different fiber sizes; 250 mu m, 500 mu m and 750 mu m were pulverized and the fiber loading was 10 %, 20 %, 30 % and 40% by weight. The MH-HDPE composites were prepared by application of internal mixer, accompanied by compression molding process. Tensile properties were tested using universal testing machine (UTM). The tensile strength increase from 0 % to 10 % by weight fiber loadings. But this strength decrease as the fiber loading increase, while the modulus increase as the loadings increases. At 30 % fiber loadings, the strength of the composites decrease for high fiber sizes of 500 mu m and 750 mu m and increases for small fiber sizes of 250 mu m for both the composites strength and modulus. This is presume the maximum loading for MH-HDPE composites.