The Effect of MA/MAPE Combination as Coupling Agent in Formation of Rice Husk and Recycled HDPE-based Composites

In this study, composites were made from source of recycled HDPE and rice husk as filler as well as addition of double coupling agent in order to improve mechanical properties of produced composites. The aim of this study is to know the effect of addition of double coupling agent of maleic anhydride (MA) and maleic anhydride polyethylene (MAPE) on quality of produced composites. In this research, the ratio of MA and MAPE that applied are 1:1; 1:2 and 2:1. The hot press method was used in order to form these composites. The composite formation process was perfomed at medium temperature of 170 oC for 30 minutes. After pressed manually and heated at these temperature later composite samples were cooled to room temperature naturally, and finally composites were tested to know its mechanical properties of tensile strength and bending strength as well as water absorption capacity. The results showed that the simultant addition of MA and MAPE as double coupling agent can improve the quality of the produced composites. The amount of MAPE that is added in MA coupling agent affected both the value of the tensile strength and bonding strength of the composites. The similar characterstics also occurred on property of water absorption on immersed composite. By addition of the MAPE and MA together then both coupling agents are increasing bonding adhesion between matrix and filler becomes stronger and tighter. The highest value of tensile strength of 5.75 MPa was obtained on the composite ratio of MA:MAPE= 1:2. While the highest value of bending strength of 4.1 MPa was also obtained on the composite with the same ratio. The highest water absorption of produced composites was found on composite by adding of ratio MA:MAPE=2:1 that is 9.4