Mechanical property and gas permeability property of polyethylene f ilm mixed with bagasse

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of variables on the property of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/bagasse film. Two variables are focused and studied. These two variables are the bagasse content and the stretching ratio during the f ilm forming. The proportion of bagasse in the range of 0-20% (by weight) was mixed with LDPE, and then it was processed to be a thin film by blowing film extruder with various stretching ratio (i.e. 100, 135, 150 and 170%). Properties of these films such as mechanical property, water vapor and oxygen permeation rate and fractured surface of the film under scanning electron microscope (SEM) were determined and analyzed. The results showed that as the bagasse content is increased, both the tensile strength and elongation at break of the film decreased. An increase in stretching ratio during the film forming caused an increase in tensile strength but it caused a decrease of elongation at break of the film. Increasing of both stretching ratio during the film forming and the bagasse content enhanced the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the film.