Study on Physical and Mechanical Properties of PHB Biocomposites with Rice Hull Ash

Abstract

The development of biodegradable polymer composites is a promising alternative for obtaining environmentally friendly materials. The aim of this study was to develop polyhidroxybutyrate (PHB) composites with rice husk ashes and evaluate mechanical properties by tensile tests, determining stress and elongation at break and modulus of elasticity, flexural strength test and Izod impact tests, as well as density and hardness. The composites showed impact strength up to 25% greater than the polymeric material containing only PHB. Also for the testing of tensile strength in bending showed significant improvements in the composites up to 15%. The results indicate that the ash as filler in PHB is viable for applications in materials that already use the PHB in pure form, considering the technical aspects studied (processing and properties) and the environment, since in most tests there was a gain or maintenance of properties when compared to PHB.