Effect of UV-Light on the Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Waste Cow Leather – HDPE Composite

Abstract

The potential of solid tannery vegetable re-tanned (VT)) waste as filler in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) were studied by examination of the effect of ultraviolet (UV) light on tensile properties and morphology of tensile fractured surface of the composites produced before and after a hundred days of natural weathering. The composites were prepared by two roll melt mixing, and pressed into shapes using compression moulding technique. Fabricated samples of various VT waste contents from 10 to 60% were pressed. Mechanical tests were conducted on the composite samples in accordance with ASTM specifications. The tensile strength decreased from 39.456 to 6.977MPa within 31days of exposure. With additives the composites tensile strength decreased from 5.888 to 5.69 MPa after 3days and remain constant with further exposure. Additives in HDPE/waste leather composite help to stabilize the composite against photodegradations. Ductile fracture surface of composite was the mode of tensile deformation before exposure to UV-light but after exposure to UV-light, a brittle fracture surface, showing wearing a way of the matrix (HDPE) on the surface exposed to sun, alignment of fibre and how they are loosely fallen off, the manner of dispersion, area of agglomerate, places of high concentration of both additives or fibre as well as places that were well dispersed were seen on SEM micrographs. Result suggests that composite of HDPE/VT can be decomposed under the influence of UV-light.