Mechanical properties of rice husk and rice husk ash filled maleated polymers compatibilized polypropylene composites

Abstract

This study compares the mechanical properties of rice husk (RH) and rice husk ash (RHA) filled polypropylene (PP) composites and the effects of ethylene-acrylic-ester-maleic anhydride (E-AE-MA) and PP-g-maleic anhydride (MAPP) as compatibilizer. In this study, PP/RH and PP/RHA composites were blended at the ratios of 85/15 wt% and compatibilizers at four parts per hundred each, via melt extrusion in a twin-screw extruder prior to injection molding. Mechanical tests were tensile, flexural and impact tests. A morphological study was conducted by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Resultsshow that PP/RHA composite exhibited a 4% significant increase in tensile strength compared to PP/RH composite (р < 0.05) while, PP-RH composite increased significantly by 5 and 3% in flexural and impact strength compared to PP-RHA composite (р < 0.05). MAPP increased significantly the flexural strength of PP-RH and PP-RHA composites by 23 and 21% (р < 0.05) compared to E-AE-MA. PP-RHA-MAPP composite increased significantly the impact strength by 18% compared to PP/RHA/E-AE-MA composite (р < 0.05). There was no significant difference in impact strength between PP/RH/MAPP and PP/RH/E-AE-MA composites (р ≥ 0.05). Overall results indicate that RH imparts better reinforcing effect in PP composite than RHA, while MAPP is a better compatibilizer. SEM study indicates that both compatibilizers improved the filler-matrix interfacial adhesion.

Waste material fly ash as an alternative filler for elastomers

“…Hence, developing alternative fillers generated from by-products or waste material is necessary to reduce the environmental pollution and replacing the current commercial fillers. These alternative fillers include oil palm ash, 13,14 rice husk ash, 15,16 waste Aquilaria crassna wood, 17 coconut shells, 18,19 macadamia shells, 20 and fly ash (FA). [21][22][23][24] By-products are produced as waste in commercial industries or biological manufacturing, where waste is defined as inefficient materials and activities that do not add value to the product.…”

“…Hence, developing alternative fillers generated from by‐products or waste material is necessary to reduce the environmental pollution and replacing the current commercial fillers. These alternative fillers include oil palm ash, 13,14 rice husk ash, 15,16 waste Aquilaria crassna wood, 17 coconut shells, 18,19 macadamia shells, 20 and fly ash (FA) 21–24 …”

Rice husk ash: Economical and high-quality natural-based reinforcing filler for linear low-density and high-density polyethylene

“…RiHA is classified as either white RiHA which is silica-rich, or black RiHA which is relatively low in silica content 31 as well as the fact that the chemical composition of RiH varies depending on the type of paddy, climate, and geographical conditions. 32 Few studies have been done on the composites of RiHA with polymers such as starch 33 and polypropylene composites 34,[35][36] and blends. 36 Also, Ayswarya et al 37 have studied the composites of RiHA with uncompatibilized and compatibilized HDPE as well as the efforts of Pongdong et al 38 for modifying the mechanical properties of epoxidized natural rubber by adding rice husk ash to it.…”

“…32 Few studies have been done on the composites of RiHA with polymers such as starch 33 and polypropylene composites 34,[35][36] and blends. 36 Also, Ayswarya et al 37 have studied the composites of RiHA with uncompatibilized and compatibilized HDPE as well as the efforts of Pongdong et al 38 for modifying the mechanical properties of epoxidized natural rubber by adding rice husk ash to it. Moreover, Krishnadevi and coworkers used 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane-functionalized rice husk ash to enhance the flame-retardant, dielectric, thermal, and hydrophobic properties of Epoxy.…”

“…Few studies have been done on the composites of RiHA with polymers such as starch 33 and polypropylene composites 34,35-36 and blends. 36 Also, Ayswarya et al 37 have studied the composites of RiHA with uncompatibilized and compatibilized HDPE as well as the efforts of Pongdong et al 38 for modifying the mechanical properties of epoxidized natural rubber by adding rice husk ash to it.…”