Abstract

This study investigates the tribological, hardness and morphological properties of recycled low-density polyethylene filled with sisal fiber particles polymer composite. The sisal fiber was treated with 6% (w/v) NaOH solution and milled into particles size of 250µm. The composite were produced using a two roll mill for mixing and hydraulic press for curing. Six samples A,B,C,D,E and F were prepared with composition of recycled low density polyethylene and sisal fiber in the ratio 100:0g, 90:10g, 80:20g, 70:30g, 60:40g and 50:50g respectively. A tribometer was used to conduct the wear and friction test. The wear rate result revealed that there was a decrease in wear rate at minimum of 0.001 mm³ of sample C and thereafter an increase to a maximum of 0.022 mm³ of sample F. The result for friction shows that there was an increase of 0.311 of sample D and a decrease was observed at minimum value of 0.098 of sample F. Result for hardness showed a significant increase in hardness properties with increase in filler loading. The morphological property in form of the SEM micrograph shows better adhesion and surface toughness for sample F of 50g filler loading compared to sample A with no filler.