Abstract
In this study, the photostability of wood polymer composites (WPC) was assessed by using ultra-violet accelerated weathering test. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of WPC show strength improvement at prolonged UV irradiation exposure with 43.21 MPa and maximum strain of 4.08 % at 5000 hours and 1000 hours UV irradiation exposure respectively. The colour stability of WPC was improved by addition of Ultraviolet (UV) stabilizer during pre-mixing process which shows positive effect on the colour stability and prevented chalking of the composites for external use. Generally, discolourations of WPC during test exposure were caused by degradation of both wood and plastic. Therefore, incorporation with pigments and other additives gives improvement to the photostability of WPC. This is based on the increment of WPCs mechanical property while the morphological fracture surface of dumbbell test specimens revealed the pull out rice husk fiber which contributed to the distribution of load in the WPC samples.
Highlights
Polymers are high molecular weight substances consisting of molecules that are approximately multiples of simple units [1]
wood polymer composites (WPC) are produced starting from rice husk in the form of fibres, mixed with a polymeric matrix polyvinyl chloride and additives such as coupling agents, plasticizer, UV stabilizer and lubricant to improve the physical and mechanical characteristic of polymer [2]
The experiment of characterization and analysis were conducted on virgin polyvinyl chloride (VPVC), rice husk (RH), plasticizer, coupling agents, calcium zinc stabilizer, polyethylene wax, and titanium dioxide (TiO2)
Summary
Polymers are high molecular weight substances consisting of molecules that are approximately multiples of simple units [1]. WPCs are produced starting from rice husk (up to 50 %) in the form of fibres, mixed with a polymeric matrix polyvinyl chloride and additives such as coupling agents, plasticizer, UV stabilizer and lubricant to improve the physical and mechanical characteristic of polymer [2]. In WPCs, the composites of wood and plastic basically contain several materials are added in small amounts to affect the performance and processing. Panthapulakkal et al [5] examined water absorption of 65 % rice husk filled HDPE composites. Lin et al [6] reported an 18% decrease in moisture absorption when 2 % coupling agent was added to 15 % wood flour filled PP composite. The increase in weight change of rice husk filled HDPE composites was 9.6 % after 12 freeze-thaw cycles. Both the xenon arc and fluorescent light are gas discharge tubes and are usually line source
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