ABSTRACT Growing environmental concerns are accelerating the development of more sustainable materials. This study successfully created a composite material by combining recycled high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) as the matrix with algae sourced from beach debris as the filler. An analysis of the algae's lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose content confirmed its suitability, showing a composition similar to fibers typically used in plastic composites. Composites were formulated with 20%, 40%, and 50% algae content and analyzed their chemical composition using FTIR spectroscopy. Their mechanical properties were also thoroughly characterized through flexural and impact tensile strength tests. The results showed a notable increase in flexural strength; however, the material's impact strength decreased with higher fiber content. Finally, thermal characterization, using TGA and DSC tests, revealed that while the presence of algae led to earlier thermal degradation, composites with 40% algae showed an increase in crystallinity.
Cabrera-García et al. (Sat,) studied this question.