Effects of Bamboo Fiber Substitution for Glass Fibers on Mechanical and Erosive Wear Properties of High-Density Polyethylene Composites

Abstract

To explore the feasibility of replacing inorganic fibers with plant fibers for the fabrication of polymer composites for waterfront engineering applications, the effects of replacing glass fibers with bamboo fibers on the mechanical and erosive wear properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were investigated. Mechanical performance tests and the hydraulic abrasive erosive wear technique, which is based on a rotating jet system, were employed. The results indicated that as the mass ratio of bamboo fibers to glass fibers increases, the mechanical properties of the HDPE composites improved overall, while the erosion resistance initially decreased and then increased. The maximum increases in tensile, flexural, and impact strength, as well as breakage elongation were 16.4%, 13.8%, 34.9%, and 10.0%, respectively. Bamboo fibers, when replacing glass fibers, can form chemical bonds with the matrix, suppressing the brittle fracture characteristics observed in the tensile sections of HDPE composites. However, this substitution also reduced the erosion resistance of the HDPE composites. The wear characteristics of the eroded surfaces mainly include a brittle fracture of the matrix and fragmentation, as well as extensive exposure of the bamboo fibers.