Effect of Recycled LDPE Matrix on the Properties of Waste Cotton Fiber Reinforced (WCF-R) Composites

Waste cotton fiber reinforced (WCF-R) composites are manufactured by using virgin low density polyethylene (v-LDPE) and recycled low density polyethylene (r-LDPE) which is supplied from the industry. The effects of cotton fiber loading, recycled LDPE matrix and coupling agent ratio on the mechanical properties of composites was investigated by tensile testing, flexural testing. Results show that r-LDPE matrix effectively improved the mechanical properties compared with the v-LDPE matrix as a consequence of some compounds occurred after recycling that effectively reacted with maleic anhydrideLDPE (MA-LDPE). The best mechanical properties were obtained by composites with 30 wt% cotton fiber, 5 wt% MA-LDPE and 65 wt% r-LDPE matrix.