Mohamed El-Nemr1, Yehia M. S. El-Shazly2, Ashraf A. Mobarak2, Mohamed H. Abd El Meguid2
- Sidi Kreir Petrochemical Company ) elnemrsidpec@yahoo.com)
- Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University.
ABSTRACT
This research studies the use of rice straw (RS) and polyethylene(PE) in the production of wood plastic composite (WPCs), using PE wax as a new coupling agent. PE wax, a by-product in the Sidpec Company, is incorporated in the matrix to act as a coupling agent between the matrix and the straw. FTIR spectrum for this wax indicate a low-density polyethylene and containing C=O group, similar to indicated of the C=O group which is similar to the maleic anhydride grafted.
The raw materials were compounded in a two roll-mill, and the final composite were obtained by controlled hot-press moulding with varying rice straw content (20,35,and 50 wt.%), and addition of coupling agent (PE wax).
(PE-RS) composites exhibited excellent dimensional stability and mechanical properties. Incorporation of PE wax coupling agent in composite formulation improved the dimensional stability, durability, and the mechanical properties. WPCs based on (PE-RS) composites have potential application in construction industry. Hence, WPC can work on reducing the Egyptian natural wood as it will have the same appearance but with better properties such as resistance to fungal and thermite attacks, less water absorption and ease of manipulation.
The mechanical properties of the composite in tensile, and impact strength for three different rice straw mass fractions have been examined. Preliminary studies showed that the addition of this wax has improved the properties of the composite.