THE EFFECTS OF A COMPATIBILIZER AND A SILANE COUPLING AGENT ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF WHITE RICE HUSK ASH FILLED POLYPROPYLENE/NATURAL RUBBER BLEND

Abstract

The effects of a compatibilizer, poly(propylene-ethylene acrylic acid) (PPEAA) and a silane coupling agent, 3-aminopropyl-triethoxy silane (3-APE), on properties of white rice husk ash (WRHA) filled polypropylene (PP)/natural rubber (NR) blends were investigated. The incorporation of WRHA into PP/NR blends improved tensile modulus but decreased tensile strength, elon-gation at break, and stress at yield. Incorporation of 3-APE and PPEAA has produced composites with improved tensile strength, tensile modulus, and stress at yield. The improvement was due to better filler dispersion and better filler–matrix interaction through the surface modification of filler and matrix. Water absorption increased with increasing filler loading. However, the presence of 3-APE and PPEAA has affected the water resistance of the composites.