Papers by Keyword: HDPE

Abstract: This paper presents the constructive and functional optimization of a fuel tank designed for the supply system of a spark ignition engine. The study focuses on the use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) as a lightweight and durable material, aiming to improve fuel efficiency and safety. The 3D model of the tank was developed using CATIA V5. Numerical simulations were performed in ANSYS to evaluate the structural behavior of the tank under pressure and vacuum conditions. Although not part of the formal validation process, these simulations provide valuable insights for improving the tank geometry. The results demonstrate the potential of plastic fuel tanks to meet operational requirements.

Abstract: This study examines how infill percentage and infill pattern affect the compressive strength of 3D-printed High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) parts using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). Specimens were printed with infill densities of 15%, 30%, 60%, and 100% across three patterns: honeycomb, grid, and triangular. Compression tests followed ASTM D695 standards. Results show that compressive strength increases significantly with higher infill percentages, with fully solid (100%) samples reaching up to 43.35 MPa. Among patterns, the honeycomb design consistently outperformed grid and triangular structures due to its efficient stress distribution. At lower infill percentages, pattern choice had a stronger impact, while at higher densities, the infill percentage became the dominant factor. These findings offer practical guidelines for optimizing strength and efficiency in applications such as aerospace, automotive, and healthcare.

Abstract: The exponential increase in global plastic wastes dangerously impacts the environment and human health. In this study, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), High-density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP), and Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) were recycled into sandwich panels and polymer blends. Recycled PET (rPET) fibers, with 25 and 50 fibers, were used as the middle layer for the sandwich panels. The face layers were made from the recycled HDPE (rHDPE), recycled PP (rPP), and recycled PMMA (rPMMA). The weak interaction between rPET fibers and the face panels resulted in low mechanical performance. The sandwich panel with rPMMA as the face layers and 25 rPET fibers as the core exhibited good overall mechanical performance. The stiffness of sandwich panels was improved. The polymer blends were prepared using rPET at 70 wt% and other plastic wastes at 30 wt%. The addition of a compatibilizer can enhance the mechanical properties of polymer blends. The rPET/ rPP blend and rPET/ rHDPE blend showed slightly higher mechanical performance compared to the rPET/ rPMMA blend. All polymer blends exhibited higher flexural strength, impact strength, and hardness compared to neat rPET.

Abstract: The use of plastic waste can enhance the properties of asphalt binders and mixes while solving one of the most environmental-related issues. Waste plastic from milk bottles consisting mainly of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) waste was used in this research work to modify asphalt binder with two doses (2% & 4% by weight of asphalt binder). The asphalt binder's performance grade (PG) was determined and fed into AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design software to simulate pavement performance under Sharjah, UAE climate conditions. Testing results showed that adding HDPE boosted the PG from 64 to 76 and 82 for 2% and 4% dosages, respectively. AASHTOWare Simulation runs showed that 2% HDPE dosage could extend the expected service life of the asphalt pavement by 0.3 years compared to the control section, while 4% HDPE can add nearly 10.8 years to the pavement design life. Compared to the control, 2% and 4% HDPE also decreased the percentage of bottom-up cracks by 0.37% and 2.94%, respectively. When comparing the 2% and 4% HDPE-modified asphalt binders versus the control one, the failure in total permanent deformation of the 3-inch asphalt concrete (AC) pavement section was reduced by 0.03 and 0.13 inches, respectively. Adding 4% helped minimize rutting by 0.25 inches compared to the control pavement section, whereas adding 2% HDPE in the 6-inch layer increased rutting by 0.15 inches. Overall, the addition of HDPE significantly improved the performance grade and durability of the asphalt binder, extending pavement life and reducing cracks and rutting, thereby contributing to more sustainable pavement solutions.

Abstract: A process when different materials are combined to produce a product with multiple layers is called co-extrusion. During this process, polymers are melted in separate machines and then extrudate from different die channels. Once these channels converge, the polymers meet and flow through a single channel. The surface where the two fluids face is called “interface”. It is crucial to maintain the interface's uniformity and stability in order to achieve the desired multi-layered structure. Most of the issues in co-extrusion are related to issues that can be classified into two categories such as polymer encapsulation/interfacial distortion and die swell. To solve these problems, designers focus on improving the interface's stability. This paper examines effects of cross-section modification of the two-channel feedblock on the interface location and velocity and pressure distributions of the flow. The ANSYS software was used to simulate the co-extrusion of polymers, LLDPE and HDPE, in two-channel feedblock with rectangular, circular, and straight slot cross-sections. The results show that sharp corners increase the thickness of dead zones, while rounding them decreases the thickness. Additionally, stadium-shaped (or straight-slot) cross-section channels can move the flow with a higher maximum velocity and thinner boundary layer combining the results of rectangular and circular feedblocks.

Abstract: The study involves the use of high density polyethylene (HDPE) as a filament for 3D printing. Considering the warpage and adhesion problem of HDPE on the build plate during 3D printing, this was addressed through the incorporation of wood flour compatibilized with styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene grafted maleic anhydride (SEBS-gMAH). The composite wood-HDPE (cHDPE) was studied to observe warpage changes. Using different SEBS, heat bed parameters and identification of the suitable print heat beds for HDPE was conducted. Results from the mechanical testing show that the compressive strength and elastic force of virgin HDPE (vHDPE) increases with infill percentage, while the same properties for cHDPE increases up to 50% infill density/percentage then decreases as it approaches 100% infill percentage. Digital microscopy imaging shows that poor layer adhesion initiated the poor compressive performance of cHDPE. Warp studies reveal that wood flour significantly decreases warping of HDPE by 42.88% at 50% infill density. While different SEBS brands show similar effectiveness as heat beds in reducing warping of HDPE during printing.

Abstract: Metal injection molding (MIM) is a proven technology for fabricating complex geometry and low-cost components. The binder system formulation and powder loading are the key parameters affecting the final properties of the manufactured parts in this process. This study investigates the influence of palm stearin (PS) content in a PS/High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) binder system for three powder loadings of 60, 65, and 70 Vol.%. The manufactured feedstocks are characterized using scanning electron micrograph (SEM), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), rheological and mechanical tests. The results show that PS enhances mechanical properties at increased powder loading. In addition, residual carbon following changing the PS percentages has a significant role in determining the final characteristics of parts. Findings demonstrated that PS could drastically alter the rheological behavior, a crucial criterion for optimizing the feedstock formulation in the MIM process.

Abstract: This research paper describes the effect of hydrogen peroxide concentrations (0; 1; 3; 5 and 7 wt%) on fluorescence properties of carbon dots (CDs) from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic. Synthesis of CDs has been carried out using modified pyrolysis and hydrothermal methods. The CDs obtained were characterized by FTIR, XRD, UV-Visible and fluorescence spectrophotometer. Based on UV-Visible spectra, the maximum wavelength of carbon dot ranges from 287 to 291 nm, indicating there is an π -π* electron transition belonging to the core site (C=C), then the absorption widens to 400 nm which indicated n-π* electron transition relating to the CDs surface functional group (carbonyl, hydroxyl, and carboxyl). The use of hydrogen peroxide (5 wt%) can produce CDs with the best fluorescence properties based on fluorescence spectra. CDs has a structure like graphite which is rich in functional groups on its surface. The photocatalytic activity of carbon dot has been tested and it showed that CDs can degrade methylene blue (MB) dye under visible light (80.3%).

Abstract: Thermal degradation of the composite constituted by high density polyethylene (HDPE) and microencapsulated red phosphorus (MRP) were studied using thermogravimetric (TG) data obtained at different heating rates. The kinetic models and parameters of the thermal degradation of MRP/HDPE composite were evaluated by FWO, KAS and IKP method. It indicates that the activation energy E of 4 % MRP/HDPE composite is higher than HDPE for three methods. MRP could improve the thermal stability and slow down the thermal degradation of HDPE. With adding MRP, the degradation mechanism of HDPE is changed and the degradation rate decreases.

Abstract: The present investigation is based on fabrication of sisal reinforced high density poly ethylene (HDPE) composites using a novel manufacturing route of microwave processing. Microwave processing was carried out in a multimode applicator at 2.45 GHz with single and multi-layered sisal fibre reinforcement. The comparison between single and multilayered sisal fibre reinforced composites were assessed in terms of tensile, flexural and impact strength. It was found that the multi-layered sisal fibre microwave processed composite has superior properties than single layered reinforced composite. The fractography of tensile fractured surfaces was assessed using electron microscopy. The microwave processed HDPE/sisal composites can be used as a dashboard material of an automobile.