A Study on Flax Fiber-Reinforced Polyethylene Biocomposites

Abstract

Flax straw and flax fibers are renewable resource and have potential for use in the manufacturing industry. In this study, flax fiber (including 58% flax shives by weight) was studied as a material to be added into polyethylene (high density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene) in 10% by mass and processed through extrusion and injection molding to biocomposites. Five surface modification methods on flax fibers were carried out and scanning electronic micrographs were taken to analyze the surface characteristic. The biocomposite tensile strength increased and moisture absorption decreased to varying degrees after fiber surface modifications. Among those surface modification techniques, acrylic acid treatment showed a relatively good result in reducing moisture absorption and enhancing tensile properties of biocomposites. It was also found that with increased fiber content (from 10% to 30%), the tensile strength and moisture absorption of biocomposites increased.