Sains Malaysiana, 2015;44:787-792.

Abstract

Composite based on spear grass with low density polyethylene (LDPE)/soya spent powder (SSP) were prepared by using
twin screw extruder at 150o
C. The spear grass (SG) loading was ranged from 0 to 15%. A compatibilizer, epoxidized
natural rubber (ENR 50) with 50 mol % epoxidation was added. The effect of filler content and compatibilizer on the
properties of LDPE/ SSP composite was studied. The results indicated that the increase of SG loading leads to the reduction
of tensile strength and elongation at break (Eb
), whereas the Young’s modulus has increased. Differential scanning
calorimeter (DSC), indicated that the melting temperature and crystallinity of the composites decreased with the increase
of SG loading. After the addition of ENR 50, the melting temperature increases from 98.33 to 98.63o
C for 95% LDPE, 5%
SSP and 5% SG, whereas the crystallinity of the same ratio decreased from 31.92 to 28.13%.