Assessment of selected properties of LDPE composites reinforced with sugar beet pulp

• We investigate sugar beet pulp (SBP) loading on the some properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE) composites.
• We study the effect of maleated polyethylene (MAPE) concentrations on the properties of LDPE composites.
• Physical properties of LDPE composites have significantly increased with the rising of SBP amount.
• SBP concentration has improved some mechanical properties of composites.
• Addition of MAPE enhanced both strength and modulus for tensile and flexural test.

This study measured the effect of sugar beet pulp (SBP) and maleated polyethylene (MAPE) concentrations on the properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE) composites. SBP concentration has significantly increased density, thickness swelling (TSW), water absorption (WA), flexural strength (FS), tensile modulus (TM) and flexural modulus (FM) of composites while reducing tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (EatB) and impact strength (IS). Presence of MAPE has improved TSW, WA, TS, FS, TM and FM. However, EatB and IS were slightly worsened by MAPE use. Composites showed two main decomposition peaks; one coming from SBP (360–368 °C) and the second one from LDPE degradation (484–490 °C). SEM images showed improved dispersion of SBP. The composites has provided less than 2% weight loss and classified as ‘very durable material’ against white-rot and brown-rot fungi attack. Through this study, potential utilization of SBP in LDPE matrix was demonstrated.