The effect of rice husk addictive on physical properties and applicability of Low Density Polyethylene

In this particular project, a polymer composite called polyethylene-rice husk (RH-LDPE)
were produced by using lignocellulosic materials such as rice husk flour as the
reinforcing fillers and low density polyethylene as the matrix or polyols. From this
material, a particle-reinforced composite will be used to determine testing data for the
mechanical properties of the composite as the filler's volume and size are varies. The
properties investigated are tensile modulus and impact strength. These properties are
investigated according to the standard testing, namely the ASTM (American Society for
Testing and Materials) standard.The effect of percentage of rice husk (by weight), and
rice husk size on the tensile and impact properties were investigated. For most tests, the
properties increased as the weight percentage of rice husk (RH) and sizes were increased.
However, after exceeding a threshold value, the properties started to decrease. This
phenomenon was attributed to two factors, which is percentage of rice husk (by weight)
and percentage of rice husk OH groups. As the weight percentage of rice husk (RH)
increased, the absorption and swelling decreased thus making the mechanical properties
decreased. the size of rice husk (RH) also played a significant role in the properties,
where smaller size rice husk produced composites with higher strength. This is due to
greater surface area for interaction between the two materials. The result of the project
shows that the possibility of using lignocellulosic materials as reinforcing fillers in the
thermoplastic polymer composite is high. By using low density polyethylene (LDPE) as
the matrix and rice husk as the reinforcing filler, a better particle-reinforced composites
are managed to be produced in order to determine testing data for the physical and
mechanical properties of the composite.