Mechanical properties of polyethylene/cellulose composites undergoing natural aging

Mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, tensile modulus and impact energy, of high density polyethylene-aspen wood fibre composites have been studied after they were naturally aged in drastic climatic conditions (Canadian winter) for various periods of time (from 0 to 90 days). The fibre loading was hold at 40% for all the composite samples. The effect of coupling agents, such as epolene C-18 and silane A-174, on composite properties has been discussed by considering the stability of the fibre-matrix interface. The results have shown that the use of silane, as a coupling agent, leads to the manufacture of composites with excellent mechanical properties.