Effects of Chemical Modification of Epoxy-(Ethylene Diamine) on Water Hyacinth Fibers (Eichhornia crassiper)-Filled (Low-Density Polyethylene)/(Natural Rubber) Blends

The effects of modification by epoxy-(ethylene diamine) (EED) on (water hyacinth fiber)-filled (low-density polyethylene)/(natural rubber) (LDPE/NR/WHF-EED) composites were studied. The LDPE/NR/WHF and LDPE/NR/WHF-EED composites were prepared by using a Brabender Plasticorder. LDPE/NR/WHF-EED showed higher tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation at break but lower molar sorption of toluene compared with LDPE/NR/WHF composites. The Fourier-transform infrared radiation analysis indicated that the absorption peak at 1,648 cm(-1) exhibited the C-N band. This C-N band was formed from the bond of the epoxy group and the amine group in the WHF-g-epoxy-(ethylene diamine) (WHF-EED). The scanning electron microscopic morphology of LDPE/NR/WHF-EED composites displayed rougher surfaces and less fiber pull, which improved the interfacial adhesion among the fiber/matrix. (C) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers