Study of the Mechanical Properties of HDPE Matrix Composites Reinforced with Rice Hulls Particles

Abstract

The present article summarizes an experimental study on the mechanical behavior of high density polyethlene (HDPE)/ rice hulls (RH) composites. The mean goals of this investigation were using of rice hulls (RH) as a filler (reinforcer), effectiveness of hulls flour fiber with different size (10-30 mesh as fine) and (30-50 mesh as coarse) on mechanical properties of composites and effect of maleic anhydride (MA) as a coupling agent treatment is performed to improve interfacial adhesion between the particles and HDPE matrix. Generally, (16) treatment were conducted as (8) treatment of HDPE with 5, 15, 25, 35% coarse rice hulls with (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0) MA, 8 treatment of (HDPE) with 5,15, 25, 35% fine rice hulls (RH) with (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0) MA, (HDPE), (RH). This study focused upon tensile strength, flexural, impact strength and hardness of reinforced polyethylene. The results showed that increase rice hulls rate to 25% in both fine and coarse, improved [tensile, strength, hardness, flexural and impact strength] values, Pine (RH) particles sample showed better, then coarse (RH) when addition for HDPE as matrix to produced composite material.The optimum formulation for the (HDPE and RH) composites on the mechanical properting is (25wt.%RH as fine-HDPE-1.5wt.%MA).