Low density polyethylene composites containing cellulose pulp fibers

Unbleached and bleached Kraft cellulosepulpfibers modified with a long chain carboxylic acid, i.e. oleic acid in cold plasma conditions have been used as reinforcements in lowdensitypolyethylene (LDPE). The purpose of the modification is to enhance the interfacial adhesion between cellulose and matrix and to increase the dispersability. Compositescontaining up to 10 wt.% of untreated and modified cellulosepulpfibers with LDPE were prepared by melt mixing. The samples were characterized by processing behavior, mechanical and rheological properties, SEM, contact angle measurements, TGA and DSC. It was found that when the modified pulpfibers were incorporated into composites matrix, most of the properties have been improved.