The Influence of Filler Loading On Mechanical Properties of Rice Husk Reinforced High Density Polyethylene

The aim of this project was to investigate the influence of varying filler loading on composite mechanical properties. The filler used in this research was rice husk and the matrix was high density polyethylene (HDPE). The particle size of the filler was 0.5 mm. Particulate size of rice husks were compounded together with the matrix polymer and moulded into dog-bone shaped specimens using an injection moulding machine. In the sample preparation, rice husks were prepared using four different filler loadings which were 0, 5, 10 and 15 wt.%. The effect of the coupling agent on the mechanical properties was also investigated by incorporating 2% maleated polyethylene (MAPE) at three different filler loadings which were 5, 10 and 15 wt.%.