The evaluation of waste engine oil/old newspaper in recycled low density polyethylene composites

Abstract The study investigates changes in the mechanical, thermal, morphological and physical properties of recycled low density polyethylene (LDPE) composites made with percentages (10 wt%, 20 wt%, 30 wt.%) of old newspaper fiber (ONF) and waste engine oil (WEO) (1 wt.%). The composites were manufactured by a single screw extruder. Adding WEO up to 20 wt% of ONF had a positive effect on the flexural properties, while the incorporation of WEO up to 10 wt % of ONF showed an affirmative effect on the tensile properties of the composites. The highest flexural strength was achieved in A3 (13.19 MPa) and B3 (12.3 MPa) samples for ONF added composites and ONF/WEO composites, respectively. Adding to the WEO decreased the water absorption values of the recycled low density polyethylene composites. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the addition of 1% WEO, the crystallinity of the composites decreased to about 30%. In the light of the results, the WEO could be successfully used with old newspaper in a polyethylene matrix. Highlights The highest tensile strength was achieved in the B3 sample (with WEO). The highest flexural strength was achieved in the B3 sample (with WEO). The highest tensile was obtained from the A3 sample (without WEO). The highest flexural strength was obtained from the A3 sample (without WEO). The crystallinity of the composites decreased to about 30%.