Valorization of Velvet Bean Pod Agricultural Residues in Recycled HDPE Composites: The Role of Recycling Cycles and Maleic Anhydride.

ABSTRACT: The growing demand for plastics, combined with low recycling rates and poor waste management, has led to severe plastic accumulation. Concurrently, rising agricultural residues motivate efforts to valorize both waste streams. This study investigates recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) reinforced with 20 wt % velvet bean pod (VBP) powder, with and without 1 phr maleic anhydride (MA) as a compatibilizer, across one, three, and five successive injection molding cycles. Mechanical, thermal, morphological, rheological, spectroscopic (FTIR), and flammability properties were examined. Without MA, repeated recycling induced chain scission and voids, reducing toughness and density while slightly increasing stiffness due to filler fracture. FTIR spectra of MA-modified composites showed strong

SUBMITTER: Jansri E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12824961 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature