EFFECTS OF STEAM EXPLOSION CONDITIONS ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF LDPE/COTTON BAST COMPOSITES

摘要

The effects of cotton bast (CB) content and steam explosion parameters (including steam pressure, holdup time, and moisture content) on the mechanical properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/CB composites were investigated. The results show that LDPE/steam exploded cotton bast (SECB) composites show superior tensile and flexural properties compared with pure LDPE and LDPE/unmodified CB composites. The superficial area of CB is increased by steam explosion pretreatment, thus enhancing the mechanical properties of composites.