Original Article Characterization of

chemically modified sawdust-reinforced recycled polyethylene composites Md Nazrul Islam and Md Sakinul Islam Chemically treated sawdust-reinforced recycled polyethylene composites were fabricated by the injection molding method, and the effect of fiber treatment on the physicomecha-nical properties of the composites were examined. Upon treatment with sodium hydro-xide and benzoyl chloride, the hydrophilic nature of sawdust was significantly reduced. The physical properties of the composites such as water absorption, thickness swelling, and biodegradation behavior revealed that upon fiber surface modification, the composites have attained significant resistance to moisture absorption and microbial attacks. The mechanical properties of the chemically treated sawdust-reinforced composites were found to be improved compared to those of the untreated ones, suggesting that better fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion has occurred upon treatment of sawdust. This was fur-ther supported by surface morphology of the tensile-fractured surfaces of the composites captured by scanning electron microscopy that showed much less microvoids and interfa-cial flaws compared to those of the untreated ones