Effect of Electron Beam Irradiation on the Mechanical, Thermal and Dynamic Mechanical Behaviour of Waste Polyethylene-Short PET Fibre Composites

Electron beam irradiation of short PET fibre-reinforced waste polyethylene, virgin high density polyethylene and blends of waste polyethylene/high density polyethylene in the ratio 50:50 was carried out to study the effects on their physico-mechanical, thermal and dynamic mechanical properties. For comparison short PET fibres alone were irradiated with electron beam, and composites were also prepared with waste polyethylene, high density polyethylene and blends of waste polyethylene with high density polyethylene. Only a single proportion of the PET fibre was used, i.e. 50% by weight, and the dosage of the electron beam was 250 kGy. The results embodied in this paper showed that the tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, hardness increased with no change in elongation at break when the composites were subjected to the electron beam. The results obtained were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Dynamic mechanical properties were also measured for suggesting utilization of these composites for commercial applications.