Study on static mechanical properties of Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) reinforced rice husk (RH)/Sawdust Hybrid composite under various loading rates

Abstract

Strain rate effect is a vital factor that seriously affects the mechanical properties of a material under loading conditions. Hence, in this study, static mechanical properties of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) reinforced rice husk (RH)/sawdust hybrid composite under various loading rates were investigated. Firstly, the rice husk and sawdust were examined by using Optical Microscope and SEM. Then, the fillers and matrix were compounded by using Z-blade at 160 ˚C. The hybrid composite were molded by using hot press machine. Besides that, sample of different amount of sawdust filler were undergo compression test under 3 different low strain rates loading which are 0.001 s-1, 0.01 s-1 and 0.1 s-1 using UTM. The results show that the yield strength, ultimate compression strength and rigidity properties of the hybrid composite were greatly affected by the amount of sawdust filler and the strain rate loading. On the other hand, the rate sensitivity is increased as the strain rate increased and the result for the thermal activation is vice versa. The observation for the post damage analysis shows that the higher strain rate give the greater deformation. For the physical analysis, it shows that large amount of sawdust filler have the lowest density. In contrast, the moisture content of the sample is increased when the sawdust filler content is increased. As a conclusion, this research finding can widen to the related strain rates that undergo dynamic loading rates.