Efect of maleated anhydride on mechanical properties of rice husk filler reinforced PLA Matrix Polymer Composite

Polylactic acid (PLA) formulated from corn starch has a bright potential to replace the non-renewable petroleum-based plastics. The combination of PLA and natural fbre has gained interest due to its unique performance, as reported in many researches and industries. Meanwhile, rice husk produced as the by-product of rice milling can be utilised, unless it is turned completely into waste. Therefore, in the present study, the rice husk powder (RHP) was used as a fller in the PLA, so to determine the infuence of the fller loading on the mechanical properties of the PLA composite. A coupling agent was selected for treatment from two options, i.e., maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) and maleic anhydride polyethylene (MAPE), by applying the agents with various loading contents, such as 2, 4 and 6 wt%. The composite was fabricated by using the hot compression machine. Both the treated and untreated RHP–PLA composites were characterised via the tensile, fexural and impact strength tests. The increase in the RHP loading content led to the decrease in the tensile and fexural strengths. The applications of the coupling agents (MAPE and MAPP) did not improve the tensile and impact strengths, but the fexural strength was enhanced

Comparative study between poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) - EVA expanded composites filled with banana fiber and wood flour

The objective of this study is to develop expanded composites of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) filled with two vegetable reinforcements (banana fiber or wood flour) as well as to evaluate the influence of the type, size and concentration of these reinforcements on the cell growth and their morphological, mechanical, thermal and physical properties. The results indicated that the natural fibers act as nucleating agents and affect the cells stability during the formation of the cellular structure in the expanded composites. The mechanical properties of the expanded composites are directly related to the composite expansion degree. Comparative results of the use of vegetable residues indicate that wood flour reinforcement provides more homogeneous cells, while banana fibers restrict the expandability of the composite and its density