Abstract: Bamboo fibers (BF) were treated with 10 wt% NaOH solution, and PE-HD/BF binary and PE-HD/BF/PE-g-MAH ternary composites were prepared by twin-screw extrusion and injection molding, and the composites were analyzed by SEM, TG, melt flow index, heat deflection temperature, and mechanical testing. The thermal stability of BF was found to be improved by alkali treatment. The stiffness, flexural strength, and heat deflection temperature of PE-HD were increased with the addition of alkali treated BF, however, the tensile strength, impact toughness, and melt flow index decreased. The interfacial adhesion between PE-HD and BF could be enhanced by PE-g-MAH With 5 wt% PE-g-MAH, the impact, tensile, and flexural properties, thermal stability and heat deflection temperature of PE-HD/30 wt% BF composites were well improved. The flowability of PE-HD/BF/PE-g-MAH composites was good enough to meet the requirement of injection molding.

Key words: high density polyethylene, bamboo fiber , polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride, mechanical property, thermal property