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Natural Weathering of Sustainable Polyypropylene/Agro Waste Rice
Husk/ Titanium Dioxide Composites
Rafeaisah Binti Laisah
Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohamad bin Awang
Bachelor of Technology (Environment)
School of Ocean Engineering
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Polymer composites have become incredibly important in modern society. Using of
natural fibers as a filler has been expanded in the research and also in the
development of reinforcements in thermoplastic matrix that has contributed to
minimize the impact on the environment. The addition of inorganic particles namely
titanium dioxide (TiO₂) may protect the composites from degradations related to
weathering. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of rice husk (RH), TiO₂
and natural weathering on polypropylene (PP) composites. The composites were
prepared using an internal mixer and then injected into desired parts using an injection
molding. It shows that the addition of TiO₂ increased the tensile strength of PP/RH
composites. The PP90/RH10/TiO₂5 composites retained the highest value of tensile
strength after the exposure to natural weathering.
86 | U M T U N D E R G R A D U A T E R E S E A R C H D A Y 2019