pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S04 - Polymer Blends, Alloys, and Composites
Poster Presentation
 
 

A STUDY OF THE MORPHOLOGY AND IMPACT STRENGTH OF RICE HUSK / LOW DENSITY POLYETHENE COMPOSITES

Abdullahi Zakari (1)*, K Sunmonu O (1), S Ishiaku U (1), Benjamin Dauda (1), Gabi Baba (2)

(1) Department of Polymer and Textile Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria - Kaduna - Nigeria, (2) Department of Polymer and Textile Technology, Kaduna Polytechnic - Kaduna - Nigeria

Abstract Rice husk/low density polyethene composites (RH/LDPE) were fabricated using 500µm and 250µm particle sizes. Rice husk (RH) filler loadings of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 weight percent were used as reinforcing filler and low density polyethene (LDPE) as the matrix. The composites were produced by compression molding method. Chemical treatment of rice husk fibre was done in 5 percent sodium hydroxide solution and study was carried out to gain insight into the effect of chemical treatment, particle size and percentage filler loading on the Impact strength of the composite. The study shows that particle size, rice husk treatment and filler loadings, have effect on the Impact strength as filler loading increases from 10 percent filler loading to 60 percent filler loading for both RH particle size of 250 µm and 500 µm. Scanning Electron Micrograph results indicated that as particle size and filler loading increases there is an increase in interfacial area, thereby resulting into poor interfacial bonding and inefficient stress transfer between filler and matrix polymer. In general, RH/LDPE composites could be considered as a potential source of efficiently utilizing agricultural waste materials and eliminating the pollution occasioned by the burning of such residues. Key Words: Filler Loading, Low Density Polyethene, Rice Husk, Particle Size, Chemical Treatment.