Physical Properties of Polyolefin / Bamboo Charcoal Composites

The physical properties of two kinds of polyolefin / bamboo charcoal composites, based upon polypropylene (PP) and low density polyethylene (LDPE), were studied for varying levels of charcoal inclusion between 0 and 20 phr. A Brabender mixer and two-roll mill were used for the mixing process of both polyolefin and bamboo charcoal composites, followed by compression moulding of the homogeneous mixtures to form the composite materials. The tensile strength and Young's modulus were both found to increase, whilst the elongation at break decreased, in a dose-dependent manner with increasing bamboo charcoal content in the composite materials. The tensile strength of PP / bamboo charcoal composites was higher than that of the original PP, but the tensile strength of LDPE / bamboo charcoal composites was slightly lower than that of LDPE. In addition, the water absorption of both polyolefin / bamboo charcoal composite series were significantly higher than that of either original polyolefin. Finally, the electrical resistance of both polyolefin / bamboo charcoal composites decreased compared to that of pure PP and LDPE.