Study of Thermal Properties of Rice Husk Polypropylene (RHPP) Composites

Abstract

Abundantly available rice husk was used to reinforce polypropylene for the development of rice husk polypropylene composites (RHPP) by extrusion and compression molding techniques. Maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) compatibilizer and titanate coupling agent were used to improve the adhesion between rice husk and polypropylene. Effect of fillers such as mica, talc, zirconium oxide, silica and calcium carbonate on thermal properties of RHPP composites was studied. Improvement in heat deflection temperature (HDT), degradation temperature of RHPP was observed but enthalpies of melting and degradation decreased by the addition of these fillers. No significant change in melting point of composites was noticed by the addition of these fillers. Composites thus prepared to have applications in building, automobile, and sport sectors.