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This study evaluated the utilization of bituminous coal from the Appalachian basin as filler material in high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites. Three coal types including Pittsburgh No. 8, Kittanning, and Upper Freeport were evaluated. The impact of coal (0–60 wt%) and coupling agent (0–3 wt%) content on flexure and tensile properties of the coal/HDPE composites was investigated. In addition, coal surface chemistry was analyzed using Boehm analyses and compared to pine wood flour. Composite flexure strength was maximum at 30 wt% coal, while tensile strength decreased with coal content. Addition of coupling agent to the composite had little to negative impact on mechanical properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:591–599, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers