PRODUCTION AND INVESTIGATION OF THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYPROPYLENE-BIOSILICA COMPOSITES

Abstract

Polypropylene (PP) as thermoplastic has found use in the production of a variety of items due to its low cost and ease of production. However, its usage is limited to inherent in its mechanical properties. Rice husk which is readily available and underutilize is considered a major source of biosilica (BS) after calcination. Therefore, the incorporation of biosilica into polypropylene resin as a composite will further reduce the cost and improve its properties. This research developed Polypropylenebiosilica composites with varying compositions of BS and their mechanical properties were determined using ASTM standard test methods. The results of the mechanical test showed a significant increase in Young’s modulus from131.08 MPa at 0wt% to 224.86 MPa at 20wt% and flexural modulus from 1055 MPa at 0wt% to 1936.36 MPa at 20wt%. However, a decrease in tensile strength from 30.61 MPa at 0wt% to 24.78 MPa at 5wt% and percent elongation from 24 at 0wt% to 12.4 at 5wt% was recorded. Also, a decrease in Impact strength from 0.26 J at 0 wt% to 0.225 J at 5wt% and hardness value from 23.46 HV to 22.00 HV was observed. It was deduced from the results that polypropylene-biosilica composite is suitable for applications where rigidity is required.