Mechanical performance and flame retardancy of rice husk/organoclay-reinforced blend of recycled plastics

Abstract

The use of natural fibers and nano-sized fillers to reinforce polymers has been tremendously exploited, however, the properties enhancements imparted by a single type of fillers is still in the unsatisfactory level. This research work was aimed to fabricate a novel bionanocomposites using hybrid reinforcements of natural fibers and nanofillers to promote their synergy effects in comprehensive improvements in the recycled polymeric matrix along with maintaining environmental appeal. The compatibilizing effect in organoclay reinforced recycled HDPE/PET blend and its rice husk (RH) incorporated nanocomposite with polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) or/and ethylene-glycidyl methacrylate (E-GMA) was evaluated. The increase in mechanical properties of compatibilized blend and RH nanocomposite achieved up to 40% and 34%, respectively. Another high improvement of flame-retarding effect was reported where the burning rate was reduced by 29–37% via compatibilization of blend matrix. These effects were evidence for the enhanced matrix-filler interfacial bonding and relative intercalation of clay in matrix. The schematic modeling for the components interaction in the bio-nanocomposite system has postulated. It can be concluded that clay/recycled polymer blend with hybrid compatibilizers was appeared to be the most effective matrix in the manufacture of RH-nanocomposites. The development of bio nanocomposites using RH as new material source in this work is greener and high-end performance to replace the limited wood as decking applications.