Mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties of kenaf filled linear low‐density polyethylene/poly(vinyl alcohol) composites: Effect of chemical treatment.

The effect of hydrated chromium (III) sulfate ([Cr(H₂O)₆]₂(SO₄)₃⋅6(H₂O)) treated and untreated kenaf (KNF) on the processing torque, functional group, mechanical and morphological properties, water absorption, and thermal stability of KNF filled linear low‐density polyethylene/poly(vinyl alcohol) (LLDPE/PVOH) composites were investigated systematically. It was found that the presence of hydrated chromium (III) sulfate increases the equilibrium torque of treated KNF‐filled LLDPE/PVOH composites. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy analysis indicated that hydroxyl (–OH) and carbonyl (C = O) group could possibly be involved in the mechanism of adsorption of chromium (III) on KNF surface. The tensile strength and tensile modulus of the treated KNF‐filled LLDPE/PVOH composites were found to have improved. The enhancement in the interfacial adhesion between treated KNF and LLDPE/PVOH is confirmed by the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) analysis. It was observed that with the presence of hydrated chromium (III) sulfate, the water absorption of KNF‐filled LLDPE/PVOH composites was declined. Thermal analysis showed that the treated KNF‐filled LLDPE/PVOH composites exhibited higher thermal stability; as observed from the higher initial and maximum degradation temperatures. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:E164–E171, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]