Effects of fibre treatment and coupling agents on the impact, tensile and flexural properties of hemp/polyethylene composites

摘要

This study investigates the effect of fibre treatment, coupling agent content and loading method on the mechanical properties of bio-composites. As a special case, hemp and high density polyethylene compounds were prepared. Hemp flour and hemp fibres were used to determine the effect of particle size and thermo-mechanical treatment on the mechanical properties of the composites. Hemp fibres were produced in a pressurized disc refiner and hemp flour was made by a knife miller from the original supplied hemp fibres. Compounding was done in a twin-screw extruder with different hemp and coupling agent loadings. The mixtures were then pelletized and compression molded into rectangular plates. Impact, tensile and flexural properties were measured and analyzed.