WATER ABSORPTION, FLAMMABILITY AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF LINEAR LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE/EGG SHELL COMPOSITE

Polymer composite samples were produced using injection molding by mixing LLDPE with varying (5, 10, 15, 20, 25) wt % of egg shell powder to obtain desired and enhanced properties. Water absorption, flammability and mechanical properties of linear low density polyethylene/egg shell powder composites as a function of filler content in the particle sizes (75, 125, 175μm) were investigated. The parameters such as tensile strength, elongation at break, tensile modulus, and impact and flexural test were carried out on the prepared composite samples. Experimental result showed significant decrease in tensile strength, % elongation at break, tensile modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus on addition of egg shell powder into the matrix. Flammability behaviour of the composites as a function of filler content examined showed gradual reduction as the filler content increases while water absorption behaviour of the composites as function of time of exposure investigated increased as the time of exposure and filler content increases.