article · Journal of Composite Materials
This research evaluates high-density polyethylene composites reinforced with date seed powder fillers. Both untreated and alkali-treated date seed fillers were added at 10, 20, and 30 weight percent using two-roll mixing and compression moulding. Chemical treatment successfully removed hemicellulose and lignin, improving filler-matrix compatibility, reducing filler agglomeration, and ensuring more uniform dispersion. Adding the treated filler decreased the melt flow index and elongation at break, demonstrating a shift toward increased stiffness. Compared to neat polymer, the treated composites achieved an approximate 28 percent rise in tensile strength, a 35 percent improvement in Young's modulus, and a 22 percent gain in impact resistance. Water absorption in the treated composites fell by nearly 65 percent relative to untreated versions, accompanied by slight density improvements through reduced porosity.
Using agricultural waste to reinforce plastics offers a pathway to more sustainable materials. Converting date seeds into functional fillers provides an alternative to synthetic additives, improving mechanical strength and water resistance in common plastics while potentially reducing raw material costs and environmental impact.
The work could enable the manufacturing of reinforced plastic components using agricultural waste streams, of interest to materials processors and compounders seeking sustainable fillers. Because the formulation was tested using standard laboratory processing methods, it represents early-stage to applied material research that requires further pilot-scale validation before real-world adoption.
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This study focuses on developing and characterizing high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites with date seed (DS) fillers. Untreated DS (UDS) and alkali-treated DS (TDS) fillers were incorporated at 10, 20, and 30 wt% using two-roll mixing and compression molding, and their structural, rheological, mechanical, physical, and morphological properties were systematically characterized. Structural analysis by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the removal of hemicellulose and lignin in treated fillers, enhancing filler–matrix compatibility. Rheological testing showed a decrease in melt flow index with increasing filler content, which was more pronounced in TDS composites due to stronger interfacial interactions. Mechanically, HDPE/TDS composites exhibited a ∼28% increase in tensile strength, a ∼35% improvement in Young’s modulus, and a ∼22% enhancement in impact resistance compared to neat HDPE. In contrast, elongation at break decreased, reflecting the trade-off between stiffness and ductility. Physically, water absorption decreased by nearly 65% in TDS composites compared to UDS counterparts, while density showed slight improvement due to reduced porosity and enhanced cohesion. Morphological analysis confirmed more homogeneous, uniform filler dispersion, and reduced agglomeration in TDS-based composites compared to HDPE/UDS composites. Overall, chemical treatment of DS significantly enhanced the structural, rheological, mechanical, and physical properties of HDPE composites. These findings demonstrate the potential of treated date seed as a sustainable reinforcement material for future industrial applications.
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DOI: 10.1177/00219983251401106
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