Papers by Author: S. Ragunathan

Abstract: The effects of adding hexanedioic acid (HA) into low density polyethylene (LDPE)/jackfruit seeds (JSF) blends on the properties were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The influence of the crystallinity and thermal properties of HA on LDPE at various compositions was investigated. JSF was blended with LDPE by using internal mixer (Brabender) at temperature 150°C. JSF content was varied from 0 to 20 wt%. Crystallinity of the blends was significantly reduced with increasing JSF content and further increased with the presence of HA. Therefore, the crystallinity of the blends was improved with the presence of HA.

Abstract: Natural fiber reinforced composites are increasingly being used in various applications area. Therefore, the processing method and physical properties of these composites are very important parameters in product quality and quaranty. This paper focused on the tensile properties, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and water absorption of cogon grass (CG) with low density polyethylene (LDPE)/soya spent flour (SSF) composites. The tensile strength and elongation at break (Eb) of uncompatibilized CG with LDPE/ SSF decreased significantly with increasing of fiber content. However, the Young’s modulus increased with increasing of CG loading. The presence of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 50) as a compatibilizer increased the tensile strength, E_b and Young’s modulus of the composites when compared to uncompatibilized composites. Fourier transform infrared results show distinguishable peaks for compatibilized and uncompatibilized composites. The water absorption for both uncompatibilized and compatibilized composites increased from day 1 until day 21. The presence of ENR 50 as compatibilizer showed lower water absorption percentage compared to uncompatibilized composites.