Mechanical properties and water absorption behaviour of hybrid fibre with recycle high density polyethylene bio-composite

Abstract

Hybrid fibre which is rice husk (RH) and softwood were used as organic fibre with different compositions which are 10%, 20% and 30%. Whereas polymer matrix that used in this project is recycled high density polyethylene (r-HDPE) and ethylene glycidyl methacrylate (EGMA) used as compatibilizer in the composite. These materials were pre-mixed using a twin screw extruder and then shaped using hot compression in order to obtain a dumbbell and rectangular shape for Izod impact test, tensile and flexural test using Instron machine. Another test was carried out with a focus to observe the behaviour of water absorption in the composite. Testing resulted in decreasing tensile strength, elongation at break and impact stress upon an increase of fibre content. However, there are slight increases in the result of Young's modulus, water absorption, flexural strength and modulus.