The effect of corn varieties on the production of fiber-reinforced high-density polyethylene composites

In this study, four different varieties of corn fibers were used as the reinforcing phase to produce corn fiber polyethylene composites (CFPC). Parameters including the chemical composition, performances of the corn fibers, and the mechanical properties, physical properties, and stabilities of the CFPCs were compared and evaluated. Generally, the CFPC’s properties were greatly influenced by the chemical composition of corn fiber. The results indicated that the CFPC specimens reinforced by Huangnuo 206 fiber, a sticky corn variety, showed the best mechanical properties (with 26.6 ± 1.6 MPa of tensile strength and 46.1 ± 2.1 MPa of flexural strength; 2397.1 ± 225 MPa of tensile modulus and 3456.8 ± 283 MPa flexural modulus). In addition, there is no obvious relatedness between mechanical properties and stabilities of the CFPCs. Compared with other fibers, Jingcheng 8616, a sweet corn variety, has the highest modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) retention rates.