Impacts of gasohols on glass fiber reinforced HDPE composite

Abstract

The effects of glass fiber content and ethanol concentration in gasohols on the physical and mechanical properties of HDPE/GF composites were studied. HDPE with MFI=6 g/10min were mixed with chopped E-glass fiber of 3 mm length at 0, 15, and 30 wt% using twin-screw extruder. Compression molded disk specimens were used for physical properties measurement and injection molded specimens were used for mechanical properties measurement. The specimens were immersed into 4 different test fuels, namely, C(E0) [subscript A], C(E20) [subscript A], C(E85) [subscript A], and C(E100) [subscript A] for 16 weeks. Morphology, water absorption, mass and dimension change, tensile, flexural, compressive and impact properties were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), balance, universal testing machine (INSTRON) and impact tester, respectively. The experimental results showed that there were good bonding between the HDPE and reinforced glass fibers. Mechanical properties and mass of HDPE/GF composites of all unsoaked samples increased with increasing fiber content. Test fuels containing higher amount of ethanol, i.e. C(E85) [subscript A], and C(E100) [subscript A], had less effect on physical and mechanical properties of HDPE/GF composites than test fuels containing lower amount of ethanol, i.e. C(E0) [subscript A], and C(E20) [subscript A] due to absorption of iso-octane and toluene and not ethanol or water from test fuels into HDPE. Hence, HDPE/GF composites could be used with gasohols especially with fuels with high ethanol content.