The effect of gamma irradiation on mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of glass fiber reinforced polyethylene waste/reclaim rubber composites

Composites of waste polyethylene (WPE), collected from municipal solid waste/recycled waste rubber powder (RWRP) reactive compatibilizing agent, maleic anhydride (MA) and glass fiber (GF) up to 20 wt%, prepared by melting and irradiated with gamma-rays up to 150 kGy have been studied. Tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (Eb), elastic modulus, hardness, thermal and morphological parameters of the irradiated composites were investigated. The examined mechanical properties have been found to improve largely with filler content. Interesting Eb behavior has been detected for the irradiated composites loaded up to ∼10 wt% GF and has been basically discussed in view of matrix crystallinity and morphology. TGA thermograms of unirradiated composites revealed enhanced thermal stability than that reported for the blend whereas comparatively slight improvement has been demonstrated by irradiation. Whereby insignificant alteration in Tm values was observed by loading or irradiation, yet ΔHm maximum of 3.41 J/g, indicated for the 5 wt% GF irradiated composite with an integral dose of 75 kGy, emphasizes the influence of the relatively moderate load and dose levels on matrix stability. The phenomenon has been confirmed by the respective SEM micrographs.