Effect of Processing Time on the Tensile, Morphological, and Thermal Properties of Rice Husk Powder‐Filled Polypropylene Composites

Brabender plasticorder internal mixer was used to incorporate rice husk powder into polypropylene. Rice husk powder (RHP)‐filled polypropylene (PP) composite was prepared by varying mixing time under constant rotor speed (50 rpm) at two mixing temperatures. Brabender mixing torque, tensile properties, morphology, and thermal properties were investigated in detail. Results indicate that the tensile properties, such as Young's modulus, yield strength, and elongation at break, do not exhibit a significant trend with the increasing of processing time. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs reveal the better filler dispersion at longer processing time. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicates nucleating ability of RHP and reduction of degree of crystallinity of PP at higher temperature and longer processing time. In fact, RHP changes the melting point of PP in the composites.