Studies of Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Rice Husk Polypropylene (RHPP) Composites

Important properties of lignocellolosic materials such as easy availability, low cost and biodegradable nature necessitated the development of Rice Husk Polypropylene (RHPP) Composites. Addition of compatabilizer  and coupling agents  improve the tensile strength of these composites but no improvement was noticed in impact properties. Impact strength of these composites can be modified by reduction in cooling time and use of additives such talc, CaCO_{3,wollastonite}, mica and zirconium oxide. Thermal analysis studies of RHPP composites resulted no appreciable change in melting and degradation temperatures, though significant change in enthalpies for melting and degradation resulted. Higher heat defection temperature was noticed by use of various additives. RHPP composites thus prepared have good potential for uses in building and automobile sectors.