Studies on chemically treated rice husk reinforced polyethylene composities

Abstract

Rice husk (RH) reinforced polyethylene composites were manufactured using extruder and Injection molding machine. Raw rice husk was chemically treated with benzene diazonium salt in alkali, acidic and neutral media separately in order to increase the compatibility of rice husk filler with the polyethylene matrix. Both raw and treated rice husk was utilized and four levels of filler loading (25, 3D, 35 and 40 wt%) were used during composite manufacturing. Microstructural analysis (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy) and mechallical testing (Tensile, flexural, impact, hardness and water absorption) were conducted. The improvement of the interfacial bonding between the rice husk filler and polyethylene matrix was highest in alkali media, followed by the acidic and the neutrai media respectively. Alkali media treated specimens Yielded the best set of mechanical properties, while raw rice husk specimens had the worst ones. Based on filler loading, 35% filler reinforced composites had the optimum set of mechanical properties among all composites manufactured.