The comparison of water absorption analysis between counterrotating and corotating twin-screw extruders with different antioxidants content in wood plastic composites

Abstract

Water absorption is a major concern for natural fibers as reinforcement in wood plastic composites (WPCs). This paper presents a study on the comparison analysis of water absorption between two types of twin-screw extruders, namely, counterrotating and corotating with presence of variable antioxidants content. Composites of mixed fibres between rice husk and saw dust with recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE) were prepared with two different extruder machines, namely, counterrotating and corotating twin screw, respectively. The contents of matrix (30wt%) and fibres (62wt%) were mixed with additives (8wt%) and compounded using compounder before extruded using both of the machines. Samples were immersed in distilled water according to ASTM D 570-98. From the study, results indicated a significant difference among samples extruded by counterrotating and corotating twin-screw extruders. The counterrotating twin-screw extruder gives the smallest value of water absorption compared to corotating twin-screw extruder. This indicates that the types of screw play an important role in water uptake by improving the adhesion between natural fillers and the polymer matrix. Copyright © 2011 Mohd Hafizuddin Ab Ghani and Sahrim Ahmad.