INFLUENCE OF IMMERSION WEATHERING ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF rHDPE COMPOSITES REINFORCED BY BAMBOO FIBRES

Abstract

Growing demands for housing, limiting natural resources, concern about plastic waste, and increasing awareness of the environment have drawn the modern world's attention to the recycling of waste plastics to produce an alternative and sustainable building construction material. The paper aim to investigate the properties of natural fibre- reinforced composited for structural applications. The composites were developed by combining recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) with bamboo fibre using an injection machine. The water absorption test was performed. The tensile strength test of the dog-bone-shape composites was determined using Instron 5569A Universal Testing Machine and in compliance with ASTM D638-22 Standard Test Method. The results showed that immersion in rainwater may cause negligible color change, whereas immersion in acidic solutions can result in discoloration or fading. In addition, bamboo fibre improves the tensile strength of composites. The greatest improvement was observed at 3% of BF. As BF percentage increased, these properties tends to be decreased, likely due to fibre agglomeration at higher loading ratios. However, when compared to the control sample, these properties exhibit significant improvement. The water absorption in composite due to immersion weathering affects the tensile strength by reducing the strength bamboo fibre as a reinforcement or filler can affect the water absorption capacity of composites due to the hydrophilic properties of bamboo fibre. The study highlighted the potential of rHDPE and bamboo fibres as products with added value for building construction from socio-eco and environmental perspectives.