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.