Studies on degradation of rice husk ash filled in polypropylene composite films under natural weathering condition

Natural weathering of rice husk ash filled in polypropylene composite films has been investigated by exposing the samples to a tropical clime for 4 months with max-min temperature 22 - 30 degrees C and relative humidity 75%. In this study, the film composites filled with rice husk ash for decay to get the composites that has good mechanical performance after exposure in natural weathering. Rise husk ash filled in film composite polypropylene effect of filler loading was 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% and compare with neat composite. The silica from rice husk ash was isolated with acetic acid. The weathered film composites polypropylene was investigated before and after exposure and analysed the morphology with FTIR and SEM. Mechanical test for the film composites polypropylene take place for tensile strength and percentages of elongation at break. The result show that the tensile strength and percentages of elongation at break decrease after natural weathering. The average tensile strength of film composites polypropylene decrease about 64.54 +/- 17.50% and the elongation at break of film composites polypropylene decrease about 49.33 +/- 15.28%. The morphology of film composites change structure of chemical and fracture surface after natural weathering.