EXAMINIG THE MECHNICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF POLY-LACTIC ACID (PLA) /WASTE HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (wHDPE) BLENDS FILLED PLANTAIN PEELS (MUSA PARADISIACA ) PARTICULATES COMPOSITES.

ABSTRACT

In this study, poly-lactic acid (PLA)/ waste High-Density polyethylene (wHDPE) blend filled plantain peel particulates composites were fabricated using compression molding techniques with filler loadings ranging from 5 % to 50 % for treated and untreated fillers (Plantain peels particulates). The mechanical and morphological properties of the prepared composites were analysed and evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the tensile fracture surfaces. The results showed that tensile strength, impact strength and flexural strength decreased with increase in filler content. The highest values were recorded for 100 % PLA, tensile strength of 40.66 MPa, impact strength of 1.5 J/m², and flexural strength of 55.60 MPa, than its counterpart of 100 % wHDPE composites which shows tensile strength of 24.90 Mpa, impact strength of 1.0 J/m² and flexural strength of 31.98 Mpa. Lowest value of impact strength was seen at 50 % filler loading with 0.32 J/ m² and lowest hardness value 100 % wHDPE with 24 HV. The tensile modulus reached 3.307 GPa for 100 % PLA, while flexural modulus at 28,271.76 MPa, and hardness reached 54.61 Hv at 50 % filler content. SEM revealed better filler dispersion at 5 % filler loading compared to 50 %, where agglomeration occurred. The incorporation of plantain peels particulates can effectively be used as reinforcement / filler in PLA / wHDPE blends for applications like particle boards, shelve, partition wall and tabletops among others.