Impact of Weathering on the Mechanical and Weight Reduction Properties of High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) Composites Filled with Treated and Untreated Eggshell Powder (ESP) Fillers

The impact of weathering on the mechanical and weight reduction properties of untreated and treated high-density polyethylene/chicken eggshell powder (HDPE/ESP) composite was investigated. The tensile properties of HDPE/ESP composites with and without chemical modifications, which have been exposed to outdoor environment under certain duration is been characterised by a light weight tensile tester under different ESP filler loadings. The results show that as the period of exposure increases, the tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation at break decreases. In addition, it is observed that the composite exhibits gradual weight loss with weathering periods compared to pure HDPE. As the filler loading increases, the percentage of weight loss also increases. Treated HDPE/ESP filler composite experienced higher weight loss than untreated HDPE/ ESP filler composites. The presence of silane coupling agent in the treated ESP enhanced the dispersion of ESP in HDPE and thus increases the interfacial interaction and adhesion between HDPE and ESP. Enhanced dispersion of treated ESP reduces the weathering resistance of HDPE composites.