Influence of foaming agent on wear and mechanical properties of surface modified rice husk filled polyvinylchloride

The ever increasing demand for high strength lightweight material is driving the current research efforts to develop advanced materials for a variety of structural applications. Polymer matrix composites form that group of advanced materials which are preferred in structural applications owing to their high specific strength. The concern for a safe environment further demands the optimum utilization of reinforcing agents and fillers that are derived from natural sources. In such a scenario rice husk seems promising as filler for polymer matrix composites. It is an agricultural waste produced in bulk quantity during rice milling. It has proved to be efficient agro filler for developing light weight polymer based composites. The weight of rice husk filled polymer composites can be further reduced if foaming agents are introduced. In the present study the influence of a foaming agent on the mechanical and wear behavior of surface modified rice husk filled polyvinylchloride has been studied. Six composites having 10, 20 and 30 weight percent of unmodified and surface modified rice husk having a small percent of a foaming agent have been studied and compared with foamed PVC. It was observed that with an increase in rice husk content wear resistance as well as compressive strength of composites increased. Surface treatment of rice husk by maleic anhydride improved the wear resistance due to improvement in compatibility between rice husk and PVC compound.