Title: Preparation and characterisation of epoxidised natural rubber/polyvinyl chloride/rice husk (ENR/PVC/RH) thin film composite by solution casting technique

Authors: Norfarhana Abdul Samad; Rizafizah Othaman; Ibrahim Abdullah

Addresses: Faculty of Science and Technology, School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi Selangor, Malaysia ' Faculty of Science and Technology, School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi Selangor, Malaysia ' Faculty of Science and Technology, School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract: Epoxidised natural rubber/polyvinyl chloride (ENR/PVC) thin film composite membrane was prepared by using solution casting technique. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and rice husk (RH) were respectively used as solvent and reinforcing filler. Effects of RH loadings (0, 1, 2 and 5% wt/wt) in the casting solution on morphology and mechanical properties of the ENR/PVC thin films were investigated. The mechanical and morphological properties of the membranes were analysed in relation to the amount of RH added to the composites by using universal testing machine (UTM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Increasing of RH loading in ENR/PVC blends resulted in reduction of tensile strength but increased the tensile modulus. The morphologies analysis showed the number of pores increased with the increasing wt % of RH. The addition of RH caused the development of pores in the thin film and the number increased with the amount added. Thus, the role of RH was not only as reinforcing filler but also as pore former for the ENR/PVC.

Keywords: thin films; composites; solution casting; rice husk; epoxidised natural rubber; ENR; polyvinyl chloride; PVC; tetrahydrofuran; tensile strength; tensile modulus; pore increase; solvent; reinforcing filler.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMATEI.2014.059485

International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 2014 Vol.5 No.1, pp.61 - 69

Published online: 17 May 2014 *

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