Rice husk/poly(propylene-co-ethylene) composites: Effect of different coupling agents on mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 123; no. 6; pp. 3337 - 3344
• Main Authors: de Carvalho, Fabiana Pires, Isabel Felisberti, Maria, Soto Oviedo, Mauro Alfredo, Davila Vargas, Marcio, Farah, Marcelo, Fortes Ferreira, Marcia Pires
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 15.03.2012; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; compatibilization; Compatibilizers; Composites; Coupling agents; Exact sciences and technology; fillers; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Grafting; Materials science; mechanical properties; Polyethylenes; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymer matrix composites; Polymers; polyolefins; Polypropylenes; Rice; Scanning electron microscopy; Technology of polymers; Propylene copolymer; Olefin copolymer; Double screw extruder; High density ethylene polymer; Mechanical properties; compatibilization; Tensile property; Experimental study; Rice by product; Compatibilizer; Functional polymer; Composite material; fillers; Thermal properties; composites; polyolefins; Morphology; Ethylene copolymer; Extrusion; Olefin polymer; Agricultural waste
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.35009

Poly(propylene‐co‐ethylene) composites with rice husk were prepared in a corotating intermeshing twin‐screw extruder using four different coupling agents. While modified maleic anhydrides such as maleated polypropylene (MAPP) and maleated polyethylene (MAPE) are commonly used as compatibilizers to improve interfacial adhesion between lignocellulosic filler and matrix, in this study, polypropylene grafted with acid comonomer (CAPP) and high‐density polyethylene grafted with acid comonomer (CAPE) were also used. The morphologies and the thermal and mechanical properties of the composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning analysis, tensile and impact tests. The results indicate that the base resin of the compatibilizer is an important factor in determining the effectiveness of compatibilizers for composites. Composites with PP‐based compatibilizers are more effective than PE‐based compatibilizers due to the improved wetting of the former compatibilizer in the matrix polymer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012