Effects of Kenaf and Rice Husk on Thermal Properties of Kenaf/CaCO_3/HDPE and Rice Husk/CaCO_3/HDPE Hybrid Composites

摘要

In this research, rice husk and kenaf fiber were compounded with calcium carbonate (CaCO_3)/high density polyethylene (HDPE) composite. Different loadings of up to 30 parts of 50 mesh sizes of rice husk particulate and kenaf fiber were compounded using twin-screw extruder with fixed 30 parts of CaCO_3 fillerto produce hybrid composites of rice husk/CaCO_3/HDPE and kenaf/CaCO_3/HDPE. Compounded hybrid composites were prepared and tested for thermal properties. The thermal stability of the components was examined by thermogravimetricanalysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC). The DSC results showed a slightly changes in melting temperature (T_m), crystallization temperature (T_c) and the degree of crystallinity (X_c) with addition of natural fiber. TGA indicates thermal stability of hybrid composite filled with kenaf or rice husk is better than unfilledCaCO_3/HDPE composite.