Tensile and Physical Properties of Linear Low Density Polyethylene-natural Rubber Composite: Comparison between Size and Filler Types

Linear low density polyethylene-natural rubber (lldpe-nr) composites in the ratio of 70:20 were made with different loadings of nanosilica and micro-scale palm oil fuel ash (pofa). linear low density polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (lldpe-g-mah) of 10 wt% was added as a compatibiliser. the composites were produced by using two-roll mill machine. the tensile properties of the composites were determined by carrying out tensile test. from the test, it was found that the tensile strength of lldpe-nr decreased with increasing weight percentages of pofa in the composition. tensile strength of lldpe-nr increased with increasing nanosilica content of the composition. the water absorption test was done on all samples, and it was found that water absorption of lldpe-nr nanocomposites decreased with increasing nanosilica content. however, water absorption of lldpe-nr microcomposites increased with increasing pofa content.