THE STUDY OF USING NATURAL FILLERS ON THE BIODEGRADATION PROPERTIES OF VIRGIN/WASTE LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE AND VIRGIN/WASTE HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITES.

A study was carried out to check the effect of natural filler on the degradation properties of virgin and waste LDPE and virgin and waste HDPE. Samples were collected and compounded with Maleic Anhydride as a compatibilizer between the polymer matrix and PLA, starch and charcoal. Using the two-roll mix and the compression moulding machine for compounding, samples were moulded and cut according to specifications for the test. Tests carried out were done according to ASTM for water absorption, soil burial and QUV. Results showed as the amount of natural filler increased, it improved water absorption up to 42 days for both virgin LDPE and HDPE, while it took 180 days for samples with more percentage of natural fillers to record mass loss due to degradation. The SEM result confirmed a lot of cracks and holes as a result of immiscibility from the poly blends and which aided with high water absorption and degradation. The QUV results also showed degradation of all samples after exposure time in the accelerated weathering test.