PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT OF RECYCLED PLASTIC PELLETS FROM HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE WASTE WITH COCONUT FIBER

Abstract

This research aimed to improve the properties of recycled HDPE plastic pellets using coconut fiber as a reinforcing material. The recycled HDPE was obtained from post-consumer detergent bottles and shampoo bottles. Polyethylene-grafted Maleic Anhydride (PE-g-MA) was used as a compatibilizer. All raw materials were ground and mixed at the following weight ratios of HDPE: PE-g-MA: coconut fiber: 50:5:45, 60:5:35, 70:5:25, 80:5:15, and 90:5:5. The mixtures were then melt-blended using a twin-screw extruder at a temperature of 180°C. Subsequently, the samples were tested according to ASTM standards. The mechanical properties evaluated included tensile test, impact test, and hardness test. The physical property tested was the melt flow index (MFI). The research was divided into two stages: laboratory-scale experiments to determine the optimal mixing ratio, followed by validation of the selected ratio under production conditions in the factory. The results indicated that the composition ratio of 90:5:5 provided properties most comparable to those of 100% recycled HDPE. Moreover, this formulation could be successfully processed into plastic pallets, demonstrating its potential for practical industrial applications.