Comparison of storage modulus, loss modulus and damping factor of conventionally processed high density polyethylene with high density polyethylene/coconut husks/oak tree/cassava blends

Polymers, especially polyethylene (PE) has drawn notable attention to man. Improving their mechanical properties to suit different applications in life has been focused on in this research paper. Here, a comparison between HDPE and blends of HDPE/Coconut husks, HDPE/cassava and HDPE/oak tree has been discussed. Getting the exact difference between their mechanical properties would help best select the appropriate blend and blend ratio in different areas of application. Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) -2980, was used to study the mechanical properties of already mentioned blends. HDPE material was commercially obtained from plastic industry in Nairobi –Kenya. Portions were cut from the original material, melted then reinforcers added in ratios of 15:85 and 30:70 and vigorously mixed until a homogeneous final composite was obtained. Required size (64.21 x15.04x3.00 mm) was then cut and viscous and elastic properties tested using DMA -2980. These properties were studied in a temperature range from 40°C to 90°C with frequency variance from 1 Hz to 9 Hz. Mechanical testing showed that sample's properties, increased with increase in reinforcer content. Of the three used reinforcers, coconut husks proved a better reinforcer in comparison to oak tree and cassava flour.