Enhancement of Processability of Rice Husk Filled High-density Polyethylene Composite Profiles

Abstract

The effect of coupling agent and processing aid on the performance properties of rice husk filled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites was studied. Composite profiles of HDPE filled with 65% rice husk were extruded using a single screw extruder with die dimensions of 3 8 mm. Processability and performance properties of the composites were highly dependent on the concentration of the coupling agent and processing aid in the composite formulation. Attempt was made to optimize the composite formulation with respect to both coupling agent and processing aid to attain optimum mechanical and water absorption properties with an optimum extrusion rate. Incorporation of a terpolymer (ethylene-acrylic ester-maleic anhydride) based coupling agent enhanced the properties of the composites with a significant reduction in the extrusion rate. Addition of processing aid enhanced the extrusion rate and showed a negative impact on the performance properties. Composites with a coupling agent to processing aid ratio of 0.73: 0.59 by weight showed an optimum combination of performance properties and extrusion rate.

Keywords

biocomposites rice husk extruded profiles HDPE coupling agents processing aids

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