Effects of Coir Fiber Loading on the Physio-mechanical and Morphological Properties of Coconut Shell Powder Filled Low Density Polyethylene Composites

Coconut shell filled composites were prepared from recycled low density polyethylene polymer matrix containing up to 15% weight of coconut shell powder as filler. The effect of coir fiber loading on the properties of the composites was then investigated. It was shown that the values of tensile strength, flexural strength and hardness increased up to 7.1MN/m2,18.0 GPa and 92.7 respectively. Impact energy decreased with increase in fiber length. With the introduction of fiber length from zero to 10 mm, a decrease in density and increase in water absorption was observed.