Chemical resistance of natural fiber/high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites

Chemical resistance of natural fiber (wood flour- rice hulls- kenaf fiber and newsprint)- high density polyethylene composite was studied in terms of their weight loss after seven days immersion in different chemicals. Composite containing 25% and 50% of varios natural fiber and high density polyethylene were prepared and immersed in NaOH(10%), NaClO(13%), HCl(10%), H2O2(3%), soap solution(1%) and acetone. Results indicated that H2O2, soap solution and acetone had very negligible effects on all composites. On the other hand, the effects of NaClO and HCl were found to be statistically significant. Different fibers exhibited different behaviors regarding their chemical resistance. Generally it was concluded that NaClO and HCl had the highest impact on natural fiber- high density polyethylene composites.