Characterization of Rice Husk-Incorporated Recycled Thermoplastic Blend Composites

Abstract

High-fiber-content composites made from rice husk (RH) (from 50 up to 80 wt%) as well as a recycled thermoplastic blend (rTPB) were fabricated using a two-step extrusion and hot/cold press molding technique. The temperature dependency of the thermal degradation and dynamicmechanical behavior was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The long-term water absorption and orthotropic swelling were analyzed following immersion in distilled, tap, and sea water for 15 weeks. Improvements in the thermal stability, storage, and loss modulus, as well as reductions in dimensional stability, were observed as the alkali content of the RH in the rTPB composites was increased. The composites immersed in sea water showed the lowest water absorption, followed by those in distilled and then tap water. The thickness dimension of the composite specimens exhibited the highest swelling values, followed by width and then length dimensions. The tensile strength and elastic modulus showed the maximum values at 70 wt% RH (21.2 MPa and 1.6 GPa, respectively). The surface morphology, interfacial adherence, and bonding between the matrix-fiber phases in the composites were characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Hygrothermal effect on mechanical properties of vinylester/carbon and isopolyester/carbon composites

“…Vinylester/carbon specimens showed 8.57% degradation whereas isopolyester/carbon specimen showed reduction in ILSS of 10.5% at 60 0 C for duration of 196 days at hygrothermic conditions. The similar observations at higher duration and temperature had higher moisture absorption as reported by Chen et.al [16][17]. All the composite specimen analysed showed degradation in UTS, flexural strength and ILSS due to hygrothermic condition.…”

Preparation and Characterization of Lemongrass Fiber (Cymbopogon species) for Reinforcing Application in Thermoplastic Composites

“…Alemdar and Sain (2008) also reported that chemical treatment of wheat straw resulted in alteration of the surface structure and chemical composition of the fiber. The development of such changes on the surface structure of the fiber creates advantages for binding through mechanical interlocking between the fiber and polymer matrix in the composites (Chen et al 2016a). Conversely, raw fiber surface structure appeared devoid of surface indentations and covered with numerous impurities, as indicated in Fig.…”

“…Alkaline treatment of natural fiber surfaces is the most widely used method to modify fiber surfaces and improve the interfacial interaction and adhesion between the fiber and polymer matrix. Chen et al (2016a) showed that alkaline treatment of natural fiber induces surface roughness and fibrillation that provide site of mechanical interlocking between fiber and matrix.…”

Improvement of Polyethylene Matrix Composites Using Coconut Shell and Cow Bone Particulates

“…It has also been proven that the addition of wood dust to recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) enhanced the mechanical properties of the PET polymer matrix composites (Rahman et al, 2016). It has also been proven that reinforcement of recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) and PET polymer matrix by rice husk particles led to an improvement in the mechanical properties of the composites (Chen et al, 2016). The addition of cow bone particles to recycled low density polyethylene (LDPE) enhanced the mechanical properties of the LDPE polymer matrix composites (Agunsoye et al, 2013).…”