Rice Husk Fiber Research Articles

Starch biocomposite film reinforced by multiscale rice husk fiber

A biodegradable composite and nanocomposite made from cassava starch and rice husk fiber were prepared using the solution-casting method. Cellulose was extracted from the rice husk via chemical treatment and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were isolated via acid hydrolysis. The microstructures, crystalline structures, and thermal, mechanical, and water uptake properties of the biocomposites and nanocomposites were characterized. It was found that the storage modulus, tensile properties, thermal stability of the starch biocomposite (SB)–CNC increased, whereas the water uptake decreased. From the results, it can be concluded that CNC is highly compatible with starch and can reinforce the starch phase to produce green nanocomposite films for use as food packaging films and shopping bags.

Biochar of Sawdust Origin in Passion Fruit Seedling Production

Great part of solid waste are deposited inappropriately near cities or in rural areas, contributing to negative environmental impacts. There are numerous forms of waste processing, one of them is pyrolysis to produce biochar and subsequent use in agricultural systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate different substrates with activated biochar (AB) and biochar (B) in substrate and its effect on the growth of passion fruit seedlings. The test was conducted in a nursery, located in Sinop/MT, May to July 2013, designed in four blocks with ten treatments: commercial substrate (CS), composed by pine bark and vermiculite 4:1; nursery substrate (NS) composed by carbonized rice husk and coconut fiber 1:1; and the eigth treatments represented were B and AB additions of 25; 50; 75; and 100% in CS, (B25, B50, B75, B100, AB25, AB50, AB75 and AB100, respectively). After 60 days sowing the stem diameter, plant height, leaf number was evaluated and at the end of the experiment the fresh and dry weight of shoots and roots, and Dickson Quality Index (DQI) were assessed. AB at concentrations of 25, 50 and 75% combined with commercial substrate showed increases in parameters fresh and dry biomass weight, height, stem diameter and number of leaves. The dose of 25% AB is presented as the best dose to be adopted in commercial crops. The sawdust processed into AB is an alternative in the production of passion fruit system and the reintegration of this raw material to the productive sector.

Experimental investigation on mud bricks reinforced with natural additives under compressive and tensile tests

In this paper, the experimental behaviour of mud brick reinforcement is present. The effect of natural fibers such as straw, wood chips carpentry, rice husk and palm fibres on the compressive strength, Young’s modulus, proper durability against water and tensile strength of brick samples were given. Different amount of fibres were selected to test: 0.3 and 0.6 and 0.9 percentages of specimens’ weight. The amounts of each component which may be effect the mechanical behaviour of mud bricks were investigated. In accordance with the results, the best sample in terms of compressive strength and durability against water is determined.In this investigation, the compressive strength and tensile strength of mud brick is studied. For the compressive strength the cubic samples with dimensions of 22×22×7cm and 22×11×7cm, and for the tensile strength the cylindrical samples with a diameter of 15cm and height 30cm were tested. The compressive strength of simple sample mud brick is 4.4MPa. The compressive strength of the samples with natural additive is between 2.67 and 16.53MPa. The durability against water of simple specimen is 255min and the sample with 0.9 percent of weigh rice husk is 560min. The natural additives increase the tensile strength from 57 to 281 percent.

Wear resistance and friction coefficient of nano-SiO2 and ash-filled HDPE/lignocellulosic fiber composites

This work comparatively evaluates the effect of nano-SiO2 (at 2 and 3 wt%), rice husk and bagasse ash (at 5 and 10 wt%) on the wear resistance and friction coefficient of HDPE (high-density polyethylene)/lignocellulosic fiber composites. Rice husk and bagasse fibers at 50% by weight contents were mixed with HDPE and 2% maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene as compatibilizer. SEM images showed a fairly appropriate connection between the polymer matrix and fillers. We found that the fillers improve the wear resistance, and the effect of nano-SiO2 is more pronounced. The rice husk ash showed a better performance compared to the bagasse ash, probably due to greater SiO2 content measured by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. In contrast to nano-SiO2, both ashes had a reducing effect on other mechanical strengths (Izod impact resistance, modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture). All fillers remarkably increased the water absorption and thickness swelling. The water uptake of composites increased after wear.

Substratos renováveis na produção de mudas de Ficus enormis proveniente de jardim clonal

Objetivou-se avaliar substratos renováveis à base de casca de arroz carbonizada (CAC) e fibra de coco (FC) sobre o enraizamento e qualidade final de mudas de Ficus enormis Mart. ex Miq. via estaquia caulinar de plantas provenientes de jardim clonal. Foram avaliados seis substratos: comercial (controle), composto por casca de arroz carbonizada (CAC), fibra de coco (FC) e vermiculita (S1); 100% FC (S2); 100% CAC (S3); 50% FC e 50% CAC (S4); 30% (FC) e 70% CAC (S5); 70% FC e 30% CAC (S6). O substrato comercial (S1) e as composições com maior proporção de FC apresentam qualificação superior para a produção de mudas de F. enormis.

Investigations On Mechanical Properties Of Glass And Sugarcane Fiber Polymer Matrix Composites

Most of the developing countries are very rich in agricultural and natural fibres. It has got a very large percentage of production of rice husk, jute, stalk, baggase and coconut fibre in India. All these natural fibers have excellent physical and mechanical properties and can be utilized more effectively in the development of composite materials for various industrial applications. The present study deals with the effects of natural fibers on some mechanical properties of the Epoxy composites. This research was carried out by reinforcing the matrix (Epoxy) resin with natural fibre (cane sugar fibers) and glass fiber. The natural fibers were exposed to chemical treatment before reinforcement. The hybrid composites reinforced with chopped glass and cane sugar fibers were produced using hand layup method. Each sample was fabricated with different 10, 20, and 30 percent by volume of sugar cane fiber. After preparation of composite material, the mechanical properties like flexural and impact strength were studied. Cane sugar fibre composites were found to have the higher values of flexural strength (490.77 MPa) and impact strength 93.92 KJ/m2) than chopped glass fiber composites (flexural strength 93.19 MPa and impact strength (23.92 KJ/m2). It was found that the addition of natural fibers (cane sugar) along with chopped glass fibers improve the mechanical properties of hybrid composites.

Evaluation of physical, chemical and heavy metal concentration of food waste composting

In this study, food waste composting with rice husk and coconut fibre as compost medium were carried out. Two types of different fermentation liquids were prepared which were fermented liquid (banana peel) and fermented liquid from fermented soybeans. During the composting process, a compost samples for a twenty week duration at an interval time of two weeks. Among the physico-chemical parameters that were tested were temperature, moisture content, pH value, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorous, Potassium and Total Organic Carbon and Carbon Nitrogen ratio. Heavy metals such as copper, cadmium, lead, nickel and arsenic were observed and analysed. From this study, it was found that, the temperature increased during the thermophilic phase while there was gradually increase of Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorous and Potassium from the beginning till the end of the composting process. It was also found that the total organic carbon (TOC) and the carbon nitrogen ratio decreased significantly during the decomposition process. Traces amounts of heavy metals were also detected and remains below the standard Malaysian Environmental regulations. It was concluded that, the composting process was faster with processed food waste followed by combination of processed food waste and raw. Raw food waste were demonstrated the lowest degradation rate.

Changes in the Properties of Rice Husk Fiber by the Oxidation Treatment

Changes in the Properties of Rice Husk Fiber by the Oxidation Treatment

Effects of Mechanical Treatment on the Properties of Rice Husk Fiber

Effects of Mechanical Treatment on the Properties of Rice Husk Fiber

Biochar in substrate composition for production of teak seedlings

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the development and quality of clonal seedlings of teak (Tectona grandis) grown in substrate with two types of biochar. The assay was carried out in a randomized complete block design, with ten treatments and four replicates: CS, commercial substrate, composed of pine bark and vermiculite at a ratio of 4:1; NS, nursery substrate composed of carbonized rice husk and coconut fiber at 1:1; and the remaining treatments were composed of the inclusions of biochar (BC) or activated biochar (BCA) in the CS, at the proportions of 25, 50, 75, and 100%. The development and quality parameters of seedlings were evaluated 90 days after striking the minicuttings in the substrates. BCA substrate additions at 25, 50, and 100% allowed for a development of height and stem diameter comparable to that of the NS. Biochar without the activation procedure does not improve quality parameters of seedlings, in comparison with the commercial substrate. The use of 25% activated biochar added to the commercial substrate is enough to improve seedling growth performance to the same level as that provided by the already validated NS.

English

English

Manufacturing of Lightweight Sandwich Structure Engineered Wood Reinforced With Fiber Glass: Selection of Core Materials Using Hybridized Natural/Engineered Fibers

Lightweight sandwich engineered wood reinforced with fiber glass using a natural fiber wood foam core was investigated. A prepreg epoxy formulation was used as both wood adhesive and matrix for the prepreg fiber glass. Combining 3 phr of oxybis(benzenesulfonylhydrazide) (OBSH) with 10 phr of ethyl acetate, as foaming agent enhanced the properties of the eucalyptus fiber (EF) wood foam. Incorporation of rice-husk fiber (RF) or bagasse (BG) into the EF reduced the mechanical properties due to the low aspect ratio and high non-compacted bulk density of RF and BG. The high hydrophilicity of BG increased the water uptake and decreased the dimensional stability of the wood core. The mechanical performance of the natural fiber cores was improved by using randomized unidirectional engineered glass (GF), carbon (CF), and Kevlar (KF) fibers. However, the hybridized cores with long fibers and high elastic modulus, with respect to the sample thickness, had a negative impact on the woods due to internal residual stress, leading to a spring-back effect. A fiber glass reinforcement lightweight sandwich structure with engineered wood derived from the EF/BG and its 30% hybrid lightweight cores yielded superior mechanical and durability properties.

Manufacturing and Characterization of Pulp Mold with Rice Husk Fiber

Manufacturing and Characterization of Pulp Mold with Rice Husk Fiber

The composition and technology of the 3–4th century CE decorative earthen plaster of Pithalkhora caves, India

This research focuses on the characterization of ancient decorative earthen plaster of India's Pithalkhora group of caves. The restoration strategies being planned for the earthen plaster demand detailed scientific investigation to understand technology and composition so as to prepare matching plaster. The mineralogical, micro-structural and chemical characterization of the earthen plasters have been investigated by analytical tools like petrological microscope, XRF, CHN analysis, laser scattering particle size analyzer, FTIR, XRD, Scanning Electron Microscopy, thermal analyzer (DGA/DTA) as well as on-site observations. A comparative study with nearby sites portrays the earthen plaster of Pithalkhora coarser (silt: 62–100%, sand: 2–2.2%) with traces of clay (0–2%); hence it may be prone to damage by grain breakages. The chemical composition confirms that the aggregates mixed with the earthen plaster belong to that of locally available basaltic origin. SEM studies show addition of quartz and traces of clay (illite and montmorillonite) to augment the flexibility and performance of the plaster. The restoration plaster should be synthesized with aggregates of locally available basaltic rock mixed with slaked lime in addition with rice husk and other vegetal fibres as vegetal additive to overcome the shrinkage of the plaster.

Investigation on Impact Behavior of Rice Husk Impregnated Coir‐Vinyl Ester Composites

SummaryThe use of natural fibers and bio‐particles as reinforcement in polymeric composites is gaining keen interest in the field of cellulose based composite materials, due to its attractive properties such as light weight, low cost and biodegradability etc. Several studies in the past have reported major improvement in the mechanical behaviors of fiber reinforced polymer composites by impregnating bio‐particulate with the matrix system. This investigation is aimed at introducing a hybrid reinforcement based polymer composites which uses rice husk as bio‐particles and green husk coir as fibrous reinforcement. The composite sheets were fabricated as per full factorial design of experimental plan by varying the fabrication parameters namely fiber length, fiber content and particulate content. The effects of fabrication parameters on the impact properties of the composites were analyzed and favorable conditions to yield better impact strength were determined. The X‐ray diffraction and Scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize the bindability of rice husk and coir fibers in the resin system. A major improvement in the impact properties was inferred on impregnating rice husk bio‐particles in coir‐vinyl ester composites.

Thermal Conductivity for Mixture of Rice Husk Fiber and Gypsum

This project is conducted with aim to determine the thermal conductivity for mixture of rice husk fiber and gypsum. The thermal conductivity value for 100% gypsum is also determined in this project for comparison purpose. The experiment used the Guarded Hot Plate Method, single specimen apparatus. This method is based on one-dimensional heat flow through conduction and steady state technique. Four samples have been tested which are 100% gypsum with a mass of 1kg for sample 1, a mixture of 0.1kg of rice husk fiber and 1kg gypsum for sample 2, mixture of 0.2kg of rice husk fiber and 1kg gypsum for sample 3 and a mixture of 0.3kg of rice husk fiber and 1kg gypsum for sample 4. From the data of the experiment that have been carried out, the value of thermal conductivity is decreasing with the increasing of rice husk fiber in the sample. The value of thermal conductivity is 0.772W/mK for sample 1, 0.7574 W/mK for sample 2, 0.7469W/mK for sample 3 and 0.7368W/mK for sample 4. The rice husk fiber is a bio-waste material and the mixture of rice husk fiber and gypsum will add value to the material as gypsum are widely used in construction field such as for plaster ingredient and ceiling finishing because it is a good insulator. The mixture of rice husk fiber and gypsum improve the 100% gypsum thermal conductivity and therefore the mixing of these two materials should have bright application potential.

Photostability Characterization of Wood Polymer Composites of Polyvinyl Chloride and Rice Husk to Ultra-Violet Irradiation Exposure

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.

The influence of Rice Husk Fiber on The Properties of Epoxidized Natural Rubber/Rice Husk Compounds

In this work, curing characteristics, tensile and physical properties of epoxidized natural rubber/rice husk (ENR-50/RH) compounds were investigated. Different RH loading (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 Phr) and size (fine size at 100-300 μm and coarse size at 5-10 mm) were prepared and used. Results indicated that the scorch time (t 2 ) and cure time (t 90 ) became shorter with increasing RH content. In contrast, minimum torque (M L ) and maximum torque (M H ) increased with increasing RH content in the rubber compounds. Hardness and crosslink density showed improvement with increasing RH content. Tensile strength (Ts) and elongation at break (Eb) decreased slightly as RH content increased. However, the fine size of RH recorded better overall properties compared to the RH coarse size at same loading the rubber compound.

Growth of eucalyptus rooted cuttings in toxic organic waste compost of textile industry

ABSTRACTBiodegradation techniques may help contaminated organic wastes to become useful for plant production. The current study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of composting in the biodegradation of toxic residues from the textile industry and its use as substrate in saplings production. Cotton cloths contaminated with oil and grease, used in loom maintenance, were composted in a mixture with cattle manure. The composted material replaced coconut fiber in the substrate for the production of eucalyptus rooted cuttings: mixture of vermiculite, carbonized rice husk and coconut fiber in the ratio of 2:1:1 (v/v) and using it as control. Thus, the amount of rice husks remained unchanged and the amount of vermiculite and compost varied. The compost proportion in the tested substrates were 0, 19, 37, 56 and 75%. The compost produced from textile wastes showed high nutrient levels and low levels of heavy metals. In general, the survival, growth and some growth indices of rooted cuttings produced on substrates with 19 and 37% compost were similar to those of rooted cuttings grown in commercial substrate. Composting is efficient and the material is useful for rooted cuttings production.

Behavior of cement-stabilized fiber-reinforced pond ash, rice husk ash–soil mixtures

In order to study the effect of addition of rice husk ash, pond ash, cement and fiber on the compaction and strength behavior of clay, a series of tests were performed. Modified proctor tests were conducted to evaluate the compaction behavior, while unconfined compression tests (UCS) and split tensile strength (STS) tests were conducted to evaluate the strength properties of clay. For testing purpose specimens were prepared with different amount of admixtures. Pond ash (PA) and rice husk ash were added to clayey soil at ranges of 30–45% and 5–20%, respectively. Polypropylene fibers of length 6 mm and 12 mm are used in this study with different contents as 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% by dry weight of mix whereas cement contents used are 0, 2 and 4%. To study the effect of curing on strength property, the specimens were cured for 7, 14, and 28 days and tested. Test results have shown that the maximum dry density decreases and optimum moisture content increases with the addition of admixtures, but fiber inclusion have marginal effect. The results shows that the inclusion of fiber reinforcement within un-cemented and cemented soil caused an increase in the UCS, STS and axial strain at failure, decreased the stiffness and the loss of post-peak strength, and changed the cemented soil brittle behavior to a more ductile one. Strength of clay improves by the addition of admixtures and fibers. The study has shown that combination of clay, RHA, PA, cement and fiber can be used as light weight fill material in different structures like embankment, retaining wall etc.