Rice husk/poly(propylene-co-ethylene) composites: Effect of different coupling agents on mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties

Poly(propylene‐co‐ethylene) composites with rice husk were prepared in a corotating intermeshing twin‐screw extruder using four different coupling agents. While modified maleic anhydrides such as maleated polypropylene (MAPP) and maleated polyethylene (MAPE) are commonly used as compatibilizers to improve interfacial adhesion between lignocellulosic filler and matrix, in this study, polypropylene grafted with acid comonomer (CAPP) and high‐density polyethylene grafted with acid comonomer (CAPE) were also used. The morphologies and the thermal and mechanical properties of the composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning analysis, tensile and impact tests. The results indicate that the base resin of the compatibilizer is an important factor in determining the effectiveness of compatibilizers for composites. Composites with PP‐based compatibilizers are more effective than PE‐based compatibilizers due to the improved wetting of the former compatibilizer in the matrix polymer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012