Characterization of injection molded high density polyethylene/rice straw biocomposite

Abstract

Polymer composite have been subjected to increasing interest, study, and utilization for some decades. The increase in environmental concern rationalize the use of reduce polymeric materials, not only due to their non-biodegradab ility, but also due to their production requires large amounts of oil as raw material which is notor iously not renewable. All these issues induced to look for alternatives. Thus, the interest aris es toward polymer composites filled with natural organic fillers. Composite materials (or composites for short) are engineered materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties and which remain separa te and distinct on a macroscopic level within the finished structure. Composite materials made from plan t fibers are receiving a great deal of today attention since they are consider ed an environmentally friendly recourse. Among all reinforcing fibers, natural fibers have gained their importa nce especially for load bearing applications. Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites ar e superior over synthe tic fiber reinforced composites in certain properties like enhanced biodegradability, combustib ility, lightweight, ease of recyclability, etc. These advantages place the na tural fibers composites among high performance composites having economical and environmental advantages, with good physical properties [1].