Abstract

• This research work is mainly concerned with the production of composites from 5 % NaOH modified waste areca leaf fiber with recycled polyethylene as binder and the study of their characteristics. Composites were produced by mixing each modified waste areca leaf fiber (120 g) with various compositions (10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 %, 50 % and 60 %) of recycled polyethylene (PE) using hot compressing molding method at 120˚C and 2200 psi. The produced composites were characterized by physicochemical and physicomechanical parameters such as modulus of rupture, thickness, density, water absorption, swelling thickness and hardness. Based on the physicomechanical properties, MAFPE 4 composite was a quality grade composite among the produced composites. It has 2679.83 psi of modulus of rupture, 0.60 cm of thickness, 0.87 g cm-3 of density, 23.37 % of water absorption, 33.18 % of swelling thickness and 98 D of hardness. The surface morphology of MAFPE 4 composite was studied by SEM and heat characteristic of composite by TG-DTA analyses. MAFPE 4 composite can be used in furniture and building.