Influence of acetylation on the tensile properties, water absorption, and thermal stability of (High‐density polyethylene)/(soya powder)/(kenaf core) composites

Composites comprising high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/(soya powder)/(kenaf core) were prepared by incorporating different loads of kenaf core powder into HDPE/(soya powder) composites with an internal mixer (Haake PolyLab) for 12 min at 180°C and 50 rpm. The composition of the soya powder used was soluble carbohydrates, 15%; insoluble carbohydrates, 15%; oil, 18%; protein, 38%; and moisture, ash, other, 14%. The effect of kenaf core acetylation on the properties of the HDPE/(soya powder)/(kenaf core) composites was investigated by using a water‐absorption test, a tensile test, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The acetylation of the kenaf core caused a significant increase in the water resistance, thermal stability, and tensile properties of the composites. The FESEM results showed that better interaction occurred between acetylated kenaf core and HDPE relative to unmodified kenaf core. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2011.