Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mechanical properties, thermal degradation and natural weathering of high density polyethylene/rice hull composites compatibilized with maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Polymer Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The influences of rice hull (RH) contents and particle sizes on the mechanical, physical, thermal and morphological properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE)/RH composites were investigated in the current research. Further study was conducted by incorporating maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MA-g-PE) to improve the interfacial adhesion between HDPE and RH. Experimental results indicated that the flexural and the tensile strengths were increased upon raising the silica-rich RH contents. With the addition of RH, the composites became brittle as was reflected by the lower impact strength. An improvement of all the flexural, tensile and impact strength was evident when the MA-g-PE was added in all levels. SEM micrographs revealed some RH pulled-out and numerous interfacial cavities occurred within the untreated HDPE/RH composites. With the presence of the compatibilizer, the interfacial adhesion was significantly improved. Lower water absorption was found when MA-g-PE was added in all compositions. Under UV exposure, the colors of the composites found to paler shade.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Petchwattana N, Covavisaruch S, Sanetuntikul J (2012) Recycling of wood–plastic composites prepared from poly(vinyl chloride) and wood flour. Constr Build Mater 28:557–560

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Petchwattana N, Covavisaruch S (2011) Influences of particle sizes and contents of chemical blowing agents on foaming wood plastic composites prepared from poly(vinyl chloride) and rice hull. Mater Design 32:2844–2850

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Jamil MS, Ishak A, Abdullah I (2006) Effects of rice husk filler on the mechanical and thermal properties of liquid natural rubber compatibilized high-density polyethylene/natural rubber blends. J Polym Res 13:315–321

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Petchwattana N, Covavisaruch S (2011) Influences of Modified Chemical Blowing Agents on Foaming of Wood Plastic Composites Prepared from Poly(vinyl chloride) and Rice Hull. Adv Mater Res 306–307:869–873

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Vlaev L, Turmanova S, Dimitrova A (2009) Kinetics and thermodynamics of water adsorption onto rice husks ash filled polypropene composites during soaking. J Polym Res 16:151–164

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Bledzki AK, Gassa J (1999) Composites reinforced with cellulose based fibres. Prog Polym Sci 24:221–274

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Shahi P, Behravesh AH, Daryabari SY, Lotfi M (2012) Experimental investigation on reprocessing of extruded wood flour/HDPE composites. Polym Composite 33:753–763

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Augier L, Sperone G, Vaca-Garcia C, Borredon ME (2007) Influence of the wood fibre filler on the internal recycling of poly(vinyl chloride)-based composites. Polym Degrad Stabil 92:1169–1176

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Bourmaud A, Baley C (2009) Rigidity analysis of polypropylene/vegetal fibre composites after recycling. Polym Degrad Stabil 94:297–305

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Akil HM, Omar MF, Mazuki AAM, Safiee S, Ishak ZAM, Bakar AA (2011) Kenaf fiber reinforced composites: A review. Mater Design 32:4107–4121

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Prasad AVR, Ra KM (2011) Mechanical properties of natural fibre reinforced polyester composites: Jowar, sisal and bamboo. Mater Design 32:4658–4663

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Wong KJ, Zahi S, Low KO, Lim CC (2010) Fracture characterisation of short bamboo fibre reinforced polyester composites. Mater Design 31:4147–4154

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Ali A, Sanuddin AB, Ezzeddin S (2010) The effect of aging on Arenga pinnata fiber-reinforced epoxy composite. Mater Design 31:3550–3554

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Wang H, Chang R, Sheng K, Adl M, Qian X (2008) Impact response of bamboo-plastic composites with the properties of bamboo and polyvinylchloride (PVC). J Bionic Eng 5:28–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Bai XY, Wang QW, Sui SJ, Zhang CS (2011) The effects of wood-flour on combustion and thermal degradation behaviors of PVC in wood-flour/poly(vinyl chloride) composites. J Anal Appl Pyrol 91:34–39

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Zhao Y, Wang K, Zhu F, Xue P, Jia M (2006) Properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/wood flour/montmorillonite composites: effects of coupling agents and layered silicate. Polym Degrad Stabil 91:2874–2883

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Wang H, Sheng KC, Lan T, Adl M, Qian XQ, Zhu SM (2010) Role of surface treatment on water absorption of poly(vinyl chloride) composites reinforced by Phyllostachys pubescens particles. Compos Sci Technol 70:847–853

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Yao F, Wu Q, Lei Y, Xu Y (2008) Rice straw fiber-reinforced high-density polyethylene composite: effect of fiber type and loading. Ind Crop Prod 28:63–72

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Zhu M, Mei CT, Zhou XB, Pu YL (2011) Effects of rice straw fiber morphology and content on the mechanical and thermal properties of rice straw fiber-high density polyethylene composites. J App Polym Sci 121:2900–2907

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Madhoushi M, Nadalizadeh H, Ansel MP (2009) Withdrawal strength of fasteners in rice straw fibre-thermoplastic composites under dry and wet conditions. Polym Test 28:301–306

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Guan J, Hanna MA (2004) Functional properties of extruded foam composites of starch acetate and corn cob fiber. Ind Crop Prod 19:255–269

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Panthapulakkal S, Sain M (2007) Agro-residue reinforced high-density polyethylene composites: Fiber characterization and analysis of composites properties. Compos Pt A-App S 38:1445–1454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Wang W, Sain M, Cooper PA (2005) Hygrothermal weathering of rice hull/HDPE composites under extreme climatic conditions. Polym Degrad Stabil 90:540–545

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Cui Y, Lee S, Noruziaan B, Cheung M, Tao J (2008) Fabrication and interfacial modification of wood/recycled plastic composite materials. Compos Pt A-App S 39:655–661

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Kim JK, Mai YW (1991) High strength, high fracture toughness fiber composites with interface control – a review. Compos Sci Technol 41:333–378

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Balasuriya PW, Ye L, Mai YW (2001) Mechanical properties of wood flake-polypropylene composites. Part I: effects of processing methods and matrix melt flow behavior. Compos Pt A-App S 32:619–629

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Lei Y, Wu Q, Yao F, Xu Y (2007) Preparation and properties of recycled HDPE/natural fiber composites. Compos Pt A-App S 38:1664–1674

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Liu H, Wu Q, Han G, Yao F, Kojima Y, Suzuki S (2008) Compatibilizing and toughening bamboo flour-filled HDPE composites: mechanical properties and morphologies. Compos Pt A-App S 39:1891–1900

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Ku H, Wang H, Pattarachaiyakoop N, Trada M (2011) A review on the tensile properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites. Compos Pt B-Eng 42:856–873

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Yang HS, Kim HJ, Park HJ, Lee BJ (2007) Hwang TS (2007) Effect of compatibilizing agents on rice-husk flour reinforced polypropylene composites. Composite Struct 77:45–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was funding from the Faculty of Agricultural Product Innovation and Technology, Srinakharinwirot University (061/2555). Generous provision of processing facilities at Nawaplastic Industries Company Limited is greatly appreciated. Thanks are extended to the Center of Excellent in Particle Technology for facilitating the grinding equipment.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Polymer Materials Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Product Innovation and Technology, Srinakharinwirot University, Sukhumvit 23, Wattana, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand

    Nawadon Petchwattana

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Sirijutaratana Covavisaruch & Sirapat Chanakul

Authors
  1. Nawadon Petchwattana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sirijutaratana Covavisaruch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sirapat Chanakul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sirijutaratana Covavisaruch.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Petchwattana, N., Covavisaruch, S. & Chanakul, S. Mechanical properties, thermal degradation and natural weathering of high density polyethylene/rice hull composites compatibilized with maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene. J Polym Res 19, 9921 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-012-9921-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-012-9921-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation