Composites of waste polyethylene (WPE), collected from municipal solid waste/recycled waste rubber
powder (RWRP) reactive compatibilizing agent, maleic anhydride (MA) and glass fiber (GF) up to 20 wt%,
prepared by melting and irradiated with gamma-rays up to 150 kGy have been studied. Tensile strength
(TS), elongation at break (Eb), elastic modulus, hardness, thermal and morphological parameters of the
irradiated composites were investigated. The examined mechanical properties have been found to
improve largely with filler content. Interesting Eb behavior has been detected for the irradiated
composites loaded up to 10 wt% GF and has been basically discussed in view of matrix crystallinity and
morphology. TGA thermograms of unirradiated composites revealed enhanced thermal stability than
that reported for the blend whereas comparatively slight improvement has been demonstrated by
irradiation. Whereby insignificant alteration in Tm values was observed by loading or irradiation, yet
DHm maximum of 3.41 J/g, indicated for the 5 wt% GF irradiated composite with an integral dose of
75 kGy, emphasizes the influence of the relatively moderate load and dose levels on matrix stability. The
phenomenon has been confirmed by the respective SEM micrographs.