MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE REINFORCED WITH GRAPHENE NANOPLATELETS AND JUTE FABRIC

Owing to sustainable characteristics, natural lignocellulosic fibers (FNLs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP)-reinforced composites are currently seeing applications in a wide range of industrial fields. Thus, in the present work, the mechanical, and flexural properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with 0, 0.10, 0.25, and 0.50 wt.% of GNP combined with 50 vol.% of Juta fabric were investigated. In particular, the Juta/HDPE/0.25%GNP composite outperformed the strength of those described in the literature, even some with higher GNP. Enhancements of 38% were observed for the composite’s flexural modulus as compared to the GNP-free Juta/HDPE composite. Regarding the tensile properties, the ductility of the Juta/HDPE/0.25%GNP was increased by 112% when compared to the Juta/HDPE. Moreover, the toughness of the Juta/HDPE/0.25%GNP was 161% superior to the Juta/HDPE composite. SEM analysis of the fracture surfaces showed that, as GNP concentration rises, the fracture mechanisms change from shear band to a complex mixture of fibrillation, tearing, and crazing. Consequently, the results reveal the novel Juta/HDPE/0.25%GNP nanocomposite as a promising material for engineering applications.