Effect of Surface Modification on Rice Husk (RH)/Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Composites under Various Loading Rates

The surface modification of RH filler was carried out using silane coupling agents in order to improve the adhesion between LLDPE and RH. RH was treated using silane coupling agent at four different concentrations (1, 3, 5 and 7 %) at room temperature. In this study, both untreated and treated RH/LLDPE composites were tested under static (0.001 s-1, 0.01 s-1 and 0.1 s-1) and dynamic loading rates (650 s-1, 900 s-1 and 1100 s-1) using universal testing machine and split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus, respectively. Results show that the 5% treated LLDPE/RH composite shows the higher ultimate compressive strength (UCS) and rigidity as compared to untreated LLDPE/RH composites under various loading rates. Overall, it is proved that the surface treatment of RH gives significant contribution towards the UCS and rigidity of LLDPE/RH composites under both static and dynamic loading rates.