Characterization of weathered MCC / nutshell reinforced composites

Abstract

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and nutshell fiber reinforced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were exposed to accelerated weathering for total of 672 h. The effects of weathering exposure on the mechanical, surface and morphological properties of the composites were investigated. The results revealed that the weathering exposure caused a slight decrease on tensile and flexural strengths whilst the modulus of elasticity increased up to 62%. The MCC / nutshell reinforced composites had higher color changes and gloss loss than MCC reinforced composites. Addition of MCC and nutshell to HDPE composites increased surface roughness of samples. After the weathering, the polymer band intensities decreased due to the degradation. The SEM observations on the exposed composites are in accordance with the surface roughness of composites after weathering. The investigated properties of MCC/nutshell filled HDPE composites were less affected by weathering exposure than those of composites without nutshell.