Effect of agricultural fiber reinforcement on the mechanical properties of a recycled polyethylene plastic composite material

This study determined the effect of certain agricultural fiber reinforcements on the tensile and impact mechanical properties of a recycled polyethylene plastic composite material. The purpose of the study was to provide information on certain mechanical properties of a recycled polyethylene plastic material as part of a coordinated materials application process. A prototype product run of the plastic composite material was done and test specimens were selected from this material. Notch impact, tensile, and flexure tests were conducted on test specimens. Test procedures complied with accepted standards from The American Society For Testing and Materials (ASTM). Tests were conducted on 193 notch impact specimens, 106 tensile test samples, and 13 flexure test specimens. Data collected during these tests were statistically analyzed by standard Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tests at the 0.05 level of significance. Standard statistical procedures were applied to the data to ascertain if unexpected manufacturing or process variables were encountered. The effects of individual and combined treatments effects were analyzed for significance in regard to the influence these factors had on notch impact, tensile, and flexural strength. A statistically significant (p = 0.05) mean value difference was determined to exist between the effect of different lengths of reinforcement fiber, different volume fraction percentages of fiber reinforcement material, different test temperatures, and different types of fiber reinforcement material. Mean experimental values for each treatment effect were generated. Data were organized in appropriate data tables and graphical presentations