Mechanical Investigation of the High Density Polyethylene/Rice Husk Ash composites

The high density polyethylene (HDPE) was modified with the burned rice husk (RiHA) as the biomass-obtained filler prepared. The composites were prepared via melt mixing and followed by compression moulding method. The samples were identified via XRD analysis. SEM analysis showed 32 µm average size and the irregular shape for RiHA particles and then illustrated the uniform dispersion of the filler in the matrices. EDX spectroscopy confirmed the good dispersion of the filler particles. The mechanical properties investigations were illustrated the improvements in Young s modulus, yield stress and hardness of the polymer after they were filled with RiHA powder. Moreover, these mechanical properties of the polymer were increased upon increasing the RiHA content, while the elongation at break was decreased.

Keywords:

polyethylene , rice husk ash , composite , compression molding , mechanical properties