The effect of silane treatment on rice husk / phenol formaldehyde particleboard mechanical properties

Abstract

The effects of silane (3-aminopropyl triethoxy silane aqueous solution) treatment on the mechanical properties on rice husk particle board were investigated. Using phenol formaldehyde as the binder, the rice husks were treated at three different concentrations of silane (0.5 wt%, 2 wt%, 5 wt%) and untreated rice husk was set as control. The samples were characterized using Scanning Electron Micro-scope (SEM), 3-point bending test and water absorption behavior in accordance to ASTM1037. FTIR analysis was performed to verify the presence of the characteristic functional groups of untreated rice husk and silane treated husk. The results show that the mechanical properties were increased with silane treatment concentration. The swelling characteristics also improved as the concentration of silane increases less water were absorbed. Surface morphology of rice husk shows that the surface of the composites become rougher as the concentration of treatment was increased for better adhesion between fibers and the matrix.