LDPE/paddy straw biocomposite: The effect of filler loading

Abstract

This research focuses on the utilization of paddy straw (PS) as natural filler in low density polyethylene (LDPE) biocomposites. PS in a powder form was mixed with LDPE, prior to being fed into a twin screw extruder and subsequently into an injection moulding machine to produce LDPE/PS biocomposites. The composites with different PS loadings (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%) were prepared. The results showed that that tensile strength and elongation at break decreased with the increasing of PS loadings, whereas Young’s modulus exhibited the opposite trend. Tensile fractured surfaces were observed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and poor interfacial adhesion between the PS filler and the thermoplastic LDPE matrix was observed.