Mechanical properties of rice husk ash/polypropylene composites

Abstract

The technical viability of using rice husk ashes (RHA) as alternative fillers in polypropylene was studied. Three types of RHA, white rice husk ash (WRHA), black rice husk ash (BRHA) and amorphous rice husk ash (AMRHA) at 10—40 wt% filler loading were investigated. The RHA composites were compounded by twin screw compounders and the mechanical properties of the composites evaluated. Incorporation of the RHA fillers increased the flexural modulus of the composites, particularly the BRHA composities. Modulus of the RHA composites were found to be in good agreement with theoretical values predicted by equation of Lewis and Nielsen. The increase in modulus was offset by lowering of the tensile strength, elongation at break and impact properties. Theoretical treatments of the ultimate tensile strength performed based on the model proposed by Nicolai and Nicodemo showed reasonably good agreement. The mechanical properties of the RHA composites were of comparable values with the prepared polypropylene composites filled with commercial Neuburg silica. Transformation of the crystalline RHA to amorphous RHA resulted in composites with improved tensile strength. No coupling agent was used in this study. © 1995, The Society of Polymer Science, Japan. All rights reserved.