Construction Panelling using recycled plastics and waste – rice husk
CONSTRUCTION PANELLING USING RECYCLED PLASTICS AND WASTE RICE HUSK
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Executive Summary
The proposed research seeks to build upon current knowledge through an experimental investigation of a new material made from recycled plastics and waste rice husks for construction panels. The study focused on achieving the following objectives; to analyse the mechanical properties of panels made using recycled plastic and waste rice husks; to investigate the relationship between rice husk fibre ratios and tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, density, and water absorption; to compare the mechanical performance of panels made using different polymer materials such as PVA, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. The polymer composite material will be developed using the standard synthesis procedures. The rice husk loading factors and recycled plastic ratios will be varied to determine the optimal ratio that yields the best mechanical strength and least water absorption. The impact of different rice husk loading factors on tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, density, and water absorption predicted the commercial suitability of the construction panel specimens. The ASTM D 3039 is identified as the best material characterisation procedure for composite materials.
Table of Contents
Climate Change, Global Warming, Population Growth and Biomass-based Materials. 5
Rice Husk Fillers in Composite. 5
Rice Husk and Plastic Composite Materials. 9
Mechanical properties of panels made using recycled plastic and waste rice husks. 11
Matrix Properties and Reinforcement of Polymers with Rice Husk. 12
Cost-Benefits of Rice Husk Biomass in Polymer Composites. 13
Materials Characterisation. 19
Benefits and Limitations of the Methodology. 22
List of Figures
Figure 1 Tensile strength of rice husk fibres (Bisht, Gope and Rani, 2020) 10
Figure 2 Chemical constituents in rice husk waste (Bisht, Gope and Rani (2020) 11
List of Tables
Table 1 Comparative analysis of the chemical composition of rice and coconut husk. 13
Table 2 Relationship between the rice variety and the mechanical properties. 14
Table 3 Research work plan. 20
Background
The background information section highlights the impact of global warming, population growth, and agricultural intensification on the availability of biomass materials including rice husk, which is a suitable filler material for construction composite materials. The section also reviews the impact of different plastic and composite material ratios on mechanical strength, and water absorption. The preliminary outcomes drawn from the background information would help guide the literature review.
Climate Change, Global Warming, Population Growth, and Biomass-based Materials
The emerging concerns about global warming and climate have contributed to the demand for eco-friendly materials to replace the current non-renewable alternatives (Arjmandi et al., 2015). Beyond climate change and global warming, the global population growth was anticipated to catalyse agricultural intensification by 70-110% between 2005 and 2050 to satisfy future demand (Mauser et al., 2015). Cropping intensity and advanced agricultural practices would lead to a higher generation of biomass waste from crops.
The availability of large quantities of biomass waste could help catalyse the development of reinforced polymer composite materials. Based on this worldview, agricultural intensification would have a positive impact on the valorisation, and transformation of biomassinto valuable products, including products, fuels, chemicals, materials, and investments in energy-from-waste technologies (Mauser et al., 2015). The observations made by Mauser et al. (2015) were corroborated by (Daramola and Ayeni, 2020) and (Zaman et al., 2017). Since the production of biomass would increase with agricultural intensification, the development of sustainable and renewable materials for construction purposes, including panels for partition, was a practical option.
Rice Husk Fillers in Composite
The use of risk husk fillers in composites can be traced back to the 1970s (Bisht, Gope, and Rani, 2020). The scope of application had increased as researchers explored new applications. Mosaberpanah and Umar (2020) noted that rice husk was an ideal partial replacement for concrete to create ultra-performance concrete (Mosaberpanah and Umar, 2020) while (Nwajiaku et al., 2018). and ingredient for animal feeds (Nwajiaku et al., 2018). However, the proposed study will focus on the mechanical properties of the material for construction-related purposes.
The selection of rice husk in place of other biomass sources was justified given the material was affordable, widely available, and exhibited high specific strength, low density, and biodegradability (Bisht, Gope, and Rani, 2020). The disposal of rice husks is a challenge in Australia and other countries with large rice farms, considering that 160 million tons of the product are released into the environment each year (Mosaberpanah and Umar, 2020). The estimates provided by (Mosaberpanah and Umar, 2020) were comparable to Chen et al. (2021), who estimated that about 150 million tons of rice husk were generated each year.
Considering that the value addition of rice husk waste was poorly developed in Australia, rice growers in major rice-producing regions such as South-Eastern New South Wales practised field burning (Quayle, 2016). In selected cases, the rice husk waste was incorporated into animal feedstock (Paethanom and Yoshikawa, 2012). Burning rice husk waste is not a sustainable option considering the process releases pollutants into the atmosphere. Beyond rice husks, Australia generates and other developed countries generate millions of plastic waste each year. Cumulatively, 400 million tons of plastic waste are generated yearly, and most are disposed of in landfills and oceans (UNEP, 2022). The scale of plastic pollution justifies the need for value addition, recycling, and conversion of waste into high-value materials.
Research Problem
Even though extensive research has been conducted on construction panels produced using waste rice husks and recycled plastics, there is inconclusive evidence on whether it was possible to optimise the modulus of elasticity (MOE) and reduce water absorption while maintaining high tensile strength, modulus of rapture, flexural strength and impact strength (Ismail, Yassen, and Afify, 2011; Racca et al., 2018; Yamin et al., 2018). Most studies affirmed that the enhancement of mechanical properties involved a tradeoff with performance under different conditions.
Research Question
- Does the rice husk fibre ratios influence the mechanical strength of composite construction panels made from recycled plastics and waste rice husks?
Research Aim
The review aimed to synthesise current knowledge relating to the development of construction panels using recycled plastics and waste rice husk and inform future research on the development of advanced composites for construction panels.
Research Objectives
- To analyse the mechanical properties of panels made using recycled plastic and waste rice husks.
- To investigate the relationship between rice husk fibre ratios and tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, density, and water absorption.
- To compare the mechanical performance of panels made using different polymer materials such as PVA, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride.
Scope
The proposed study focuses on rice husk biomass as a filler material for polymer composites for construction panels. The choice of rice husk led to the exclusion of other sources of biomass such as bamboo, algae, and fruit peel waste. The scope of the experimental process encompassed the purchase of rice husk waste from rice producers in New South Wales. The plastic materials were sourced from garbage collection companies; this process was followed by polymer composite materials synthesis. The practical utility of the materials in construction was predicted by the tensile strength, yield strength, and flexural strength; analysis of the surface and cross-section morphology using the SEM and TEM instruments; and determination of the water absorption characteristics.
Chapter Outline
The research proposal has three chapters, namely the introduction, literature review, and methodology. The theoretical background for the study and the fundamental objectives concerning the optimisation of the rice husk and recycled plastic ratios and questions were presented in the introduction chapter. The literature review appraised different experimental data to determine the optimal ratios and loading factors for the rice husk materials. In addition, the chapter outlined the gaps in the body of knowledge.
Literature Review
The literature review builds upon the current body of knowledge presented in the introduction with a greater emphasis on the mechanical properties of panels made using recycled plastic and waste rice husks, the link between rice husk fibre ratios and tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, density, and water absorption, and mechanical performance of panels made using different polymer materials such as PVA, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. The object purpose of the literature review was to address gaps in the body of knowledge and derive new insights and perspectives, which would guide the implementation of the study objectives. The gaps drawn from the research were listed in the final section of the study.
Rice Husk and Plastic Composite Materials
The utility of composites made from recycled plastics and rice husks for construction-related purposes such as in-house partition was assessed based on the following criteria: fire resistance, water absorption, density, flexural and tensile strength in line with established mechanical testing standards (Ismail, Yassen, and Afify, 2011; Yamin et al., 2018). The review contributed new insights on the value addition of plastic waste and rice-derived biomass; this is critical to the conservation of the environment and the reduction of the carbon footprint.
The accumulation of non-biodegradable plastic waste materials had a detrimental effect on soils and the environment, as noted by Yamin et al. (2018) and Maddah (2016). Extensive research has been conducted on composite materials made from recycled plastic and waste rice husks with variable results. For example, Ismail, Yassen, and Afify (2011) prepared rice straw fibre-reinforced polymer composites. The materials had a flexural strength of about 400N and impact strength of approximately 3.8 J/cm2. The performance of the composite was dependent on the polymer – Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based composite materials that had higher flexural strength relative to the polystyrene polymers (Ismail, Yassen, and Afify, 2011). In contrast, composite materials made using rice husk fibres had a tensile strength of 20-35 MPa and Young’s modulus above > 5,000 MPa (see Figure 1) (Bisht, Gope, and Rani, 2020). The mechanical properties affirm the suitability of the composite for construction-related applications.
Figure 1 Tensile strength of rice husk fibres (Bisht, Gope, and Rani, 2020)
The performance of the rice husk fibres exceeded alternative materials such as talc composites. Talc is a widely used filler material with a high aspect ratio that reinforces the thermal and mechanical properties of the polymers. Despite the advances made in the development of advanced composites from different biomass materials, the enhancement of the mechanical properties often involves a tradeoff with the thickness, swelling, density, and the modulus of rupture (Ismail, Yassen, and Afify, 2011; Racca et al., 2018; Yamin et al., 2018). The challenge has persisted with the generation of new materials. Considering that low water absorption and high tensile strength, and flexural strength were vital requirements for durable materials, there was a need for further research and development. In contrast to Ismail, Yassen, and Afify (2011), Yamin et al. (2018) developed an advanced composite material, which integrated oil palm empty fruit bunch in addition to the waste plastics and rice rusks for optimal modulus of elasticity (MOE) and lower water absorption.
Mechanical properties of panels made using recycled plastic and waste rice husks.
Composite materials made from recycled plastic and rice waste husks had variable tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, density, and water absorption. The variations were attributed to the different weight proportions of plastics and rice husk fibres. The current body of knowledge advanced distinct narratives about the phenomena. For example, Bisht, Gope, and Rani (2020) noted that the incorporation of rice husks translated to a significant improvement in mechanical properties. The microstructural changes that contribute to the robust performance can be linked to the high cellulose (35%) and hemicellulose content (25%) (see Figure 2). The chemical composition was dependent on controlled pyrolysis conditions, given organic matter is removed (Severo et al., 2020); this would compromise the mechanical performance of rice husk-based composite materials for construction purposes.
Figure 2 Chemical constituents in rice husk waste (Bisht, Gope and Rani (2020)
Based on the data, it could be deduced that pyrolysis temperatures predicted the chemical characteristics of the value-added product. A contrary phenomenon was observed at 700 oC (Nwajiaku et al., 2018). The effect of temperature on the chemical properties of rice husk waste documented by Nwajiaku et al. (2018) was in agreement with Paethanom and Yoshikawa (2012), who noted that at a higher temperature, there was a notable decline in the biochar yield.
Matrix Properties and Reinforcement of Polymers with Rice Husk
Even though rice husk waste is rich in organic compounds such as cellulose and hemicellulose (Severo et al., 2020), the trace levels of sodium, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium oxides, and chemical composition changes in the polymer structure had a pronounced effect on the impact strength, flexural and tensile strength as noted by Ismail, Yassen and Afify (2011) and Yamin et al. (2018). For example, metal oxides and silica predict the electrical conductivity and pH of the biomass-derived material (Mosaberpanah and Umar, 2020). The observations made by Bisht, Gope, and Rani (2020) and Mosaberpanah and Umar (2020) were corroborated by other scholars, including Nwajiaku et al. (2018). However, in the latter case, the chemical composition of the rice husk waste varied with exposure to different pyrolytic temperatures (Nwajiaku et al., 2018). At temperatures of about 300 oC, the content of silica, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and carbon increased.
A comparative analysis of the metal oxides in rice husk and other biomass indicates that the former had higher levels of manganese, iron, magnesium, and aluminium oxides (see Table 1) (Zaman et al., 2017). The phenomena were attributed to the methods of rice husk pyrolysis, soil characteristics, and harvest conditions (Severo et al., 2020). The oxides predicted a metal adsorption capacity and chemical composition, and mechanical behaviour of the rice husk-plastic composite material for constriction purposes.
Table 1 Comparative analysis of the chemical composition of rice and coconut husk
| Oxide composition | Rice husk ash (%) | Other biomass (%) |
| MnO | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| CaO | 0.0 | 0.3 |
| K2O | 1.5 | 4.8 |
| Fe2O3 | 0.5 | 0.2 |
| MgO | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| SiO2 | 69.8 | 72.3 |
| TiO2 | 1.3 | 1.9 |
| Al2O3 | 1.3 | 0.9 |
| P2O5 | 0.3 | 0.6 |
| Al2O3 + Fe2O3 | 1.7 | 1.0 |
| SiO2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3 | 71.6 | 73.4 |
| LOI | 8.2 | 9.3 |
Source: (Zaman et al., 2017)
Aluminium, magnesium, silicon, calcium, and iron reinforced the mechanical properties, particularly the tensile strength (Saravanan and Kumar, 2013). The positive link between metals and tensile and flexural strength reported by Saravanan and Kumar (2013) was corroborated by Muni et al. (2019), who attributed the changes to specific weight compositions (6-10% wt). However, impact strength was lower with higher reinforcements, given that reinforced composite materials were less ductile compared to the non-reinforced materials.
Cost-Benefits of Rice Husk Biomass in Polymer Composites
Even though there was strong evidence in support of the integration of rice biochar, contrasting evidence was presented in the literature. Arjmandi et al. (2015) and Yiga et al. (2021) argued that the incorporation of rice husk did not automatically translate to a statistically significant improvement in mechanical strength. The arguments made by Arjmandi et al. (2015) and Yiga et al. (2021) could be attributed to the risk husk varieties – long grain, short grain, hybrid, and organic golden rose medium grain (Chen, Xu, and Shivkumar, 2018). Each rice variety had a unique diameter of the external protrusions, grain length, thickness of the epidermis, epidermis fibre length, and wall thickness (Chen, Xu, and Shivkumar, 2018), which in turn, predicted the mechanical behaviour.
The data presented in Table 2 affirmed that organic short grain rice husk had the lowest specific strength (11 MPa), followed by the medium grain (18 MPa). In contrast, the long grain and organic golden rose medium grain had significantly higher specific strength (>60 MPa) and tensile strength (135 MPa) (Chen, Xu, and Shivkumar, 2018). On the downside, there was no comparative data from other literature. Yiga et al. (2021) reported the performance of different varieties of rice husk, namely K85 and K98, which are distinct from the medium, long, and short-grain varieties studied by Chen, Xu, and Shivkumar (2018). Following the review of the mechanical properties of different rice husk types, the long grain and organic golden rose medium grain were best suited for constructing panels due to their desirable mechanical properties. However, it remains unknown whether the high mechanical properties would remain unchanged with the incorporation of recycled plastic materials.
Table 2 Relationship between the rice variety and the mechanical properties
| Rice type | Maximum load | Ultimate tensile strength (MPa) | Tensile modulus (GPa) | Density | Specific strength (MPa) | Specific modulus (GPa) |
| Organic long grain | 8.7 ± 2.2 | 106 ± 25 | 1.5 ± 0.5 | 1.8 ± 0.5 | 59 ± 14 | 0.8 ± 0.3 |
| Organic golden rose medium grain | 8.3 ± 4.7 | 135 ± 41 | 1.8 ± 0.5 | 2.0 ± 0.4 | 68 ± 21 | 0.9 ± 0.3 |
| Organic short grain | 2.7 ± 0.7 | 19 ± 9 | 0.4 ± 0.1 | 1.8 ± 0.4 | 11 ± 5 | 0.2 ± 0.1 |
| Hybrid long-grain texmati | 12.1 ± 3.7 | 136 ± 39 | 2.0 ± 0.4 | 2.1 ± 0.3 | 65 ± 19 | 0.9 ± 0.2 |
| Medium grain | 2.6 ± 0.9 | 28 ± 9 | 0.9 ± 0.4 | 1.6 ± 0.1 | 18 ± 6 | 0.5 ± 0.2 |
| Long grain | 7.7 ± 2.9 | 134 ± 32 | 2.6 ± 0.5 | 1.9 ± 0.3 | 71 ± 17 | 1.4 ± 0.3 |
| Nylon 618 | – | 78 | 2.4 | 1.13 | 69 | 2.1 |
| Polylactic acid19 | – | 44.5 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 34.2 | 2.4 |
Source: (Chen, Xu, and Shivkumar, 2018)
Considering that the mechanical properties of the long grain and organic golden rose medium grain were higher compared to polymers (Nylon and Polylactic acid), the loading factor for the former in the composite should be higher. The proposal was in line with Yiga et al. (2021), who recommended a risk husk loading factor of 10-30%. Similar percentages were reported in other experimental studies on rice husk-reinforced polymer composites (Yamin et al., 2018; Mosaberpanah and Umar, 2020). However, there was no standard loading factor. This means the loading factor and ratios should be customised to achieve the desired tensile strength. However, contrasting evidence suggests that the rice husk fibre loading factor did not have a uniform effect on the tensile strength.
Morales et al. (2021) reported a loss in tensile strength. The phenomena were attributed to absent/limited chemical bonding between the rice husks and the polymer chain matrix (Morales et al., 2021). Additionally, the large surface energies contributed to the loss in the tensile strength. Various material modifications were proposed to enhance the mechanical properties, including the incorporation of carbon fibre as filler material and water and PLA with alkaline-treated rice husk fiber (see Table 3); this led to the development of rice husk–filled carbon-reinforced hybrid polymer composites (Jena, Das, and Mohapatra, 2021). The mixed effect of the rice husk loading factors on the tensile strength of the polymer composites informed the optimisation experiments for the polymers.
Table 3 Experimental study of recycled panels including rice husk
| Material | Tensile strength | Tensile modulus |
| PLA | 7.35 | – |
| PLA with alkaline-treated rice husk fiber | 39 | 52 |
| PLA and starch | 14.25 | 0.225 |
Source: (Arjmandi et al., 2015)
Gaps in Literature
The following gaps were observed in the literature. First, there was inadequate data comparing the mechanical properties of long-grain and organic golden rose medium grain rice husk before and after the addition of recycled plastic waste. Second, there was limited comparative data about the mechanical properties of K98 and K85 rice husk versus long grain and organic golden rose medium grain rice husk; this had an impact on the proposed study considering different rice varieties were cultivated in Australia.
Conclusion
The literature review provided useful insights into how the rice husk fibre and polymer ratios, loading factors, and varieties influenced the mechanical strength of composite construction panels made from recycled plastics and waste rice husks. Considering that different studies focused on the development of unique materials with context-specific applications, there was no universal loading factor. The ratios were predicted by the desired application of the material. Additionally, the literature review confirmed that it was practical to enhance the mechanical properties of panels made using recycled plastic and waste rice husks through the optimisation of the rice husk fibre ratios to achieve desirable tensile strength and flexural strength modulus of elasticity, density, and water absorption.
Methods
Introduction
The proposed methodology focused on the optimisation of the mechanical performance of panels made using different polymer materials such as PVA, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and rice varieties, particularly the long grain and organic golden rose medium grain, to achieve optimal tensile and flexural strength and minimal water absorption. An experimental approach will be recommended because there was limited data about the desired loading factor and the impact of rice husk variety on the mechanical strength of the composite panels.
Research Design
Moissenko et al. (2016) described a research design as a plan of action employed to answer specific research questions. In the current case, the primary question was whether the material of interest had satisfactory mechanical strength compared to the existing materials. The proposed research will employ an experimental research design. According to (Panchal and Szajnfarber, 2017), experimental research designs helped to test scientific hypotheses and develop theories. The experimental research design was aligned with past studies on rice husk fiber and polymer composite materials (Arjmandi et al., 2015; Chen, Xu, and Shivkumar, 2018). The experimental setup is reviewed in the next section.
Experimental Set-up
The experimental setup was aligned with established standards for rice husk and recycled waste material characterisation and testing.
Material Collection
The rice husk materials were collected from rice-growing areas in New South Wales. A key focus was on the comparison of the K95, K85, long grain and organic golden rose medium grain rice husk. As noted in the preceding sections, it was necessary to compare the performance of different varieties of rice husks, including long, medium, and short-grain, hybrid, and organic golden rose medium grain because each variety had a distinct tensile strength (Chen, Xu, and Shivkumar, 2018). The rice husk was cleaned off any organic debris and then shorted and dried to remove the excess water. Following the drying process, the samples were ground and labelled before mixing to achieve the desired loading factor. As noted in the literature review, the optimal loading factor varied between 10 and 30%. The theoretical evidence will guide the preparation of the polymer-rice husk ratios.
Materials Characterisation
The material characterisation experiments were conducted in line with the ASTM D 3039 standard for assessing the tensile strength, Poisson’s ratio, and tensile modulus of composite materials, which used extensometers and strain gauges with or without moisture loading at different temperatures. The performance of K95 and K85 rice husk will be compared against the long grain and organic golden rose medium varieties to establish, which had superior mechanical properties. The ASTM D 3039 test helped to predict the force needed to break the bonds in a polymer composite specimen and the force required to stretch and elongate the specimen up to a breaking point (ASTM International, 2014; Intertek, 2022). The ASTM D 3039 standard was preferred in place of the ASTM D 638 for plastic materials and other standards for rice husk materials (ASTM International, 2014; Jena, Das, and Mohapatra, 2021). The adoption of a uniform standard will enhance the reproducibility and reliability of the proposed methodology.
Beyond the mechanical properties, other material properties performance of the polymer composites were evaluated using microscopy techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and tunnelling electron microscopy (TEM), which are liable instruments used to determine the surface and cross-sectional morphologies. The choice of the microscopy techniques is informed by past scholarly studies (Sahiner, 2014; Iyer, Zhang, and Torkelson, 2016). The surface and cross-sectional morphologies and particle shapes and sizes of the virgin and mixed polymer materials will be assessed using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). FTIR instrument will facilitate the determination of the functional groups after functionalisation, while nitrogen sorption measurement will help determine the polymer’s surface properties.
Work Plan
The proposed research will be conducted in line with the work plan presented in Table 4. According to the work plan, the first step of the research will encompass a preliminary research review and sourcing of the raw materials from rice fields and recycled plastic disposal sites. The next phase of the research will involve lab-based synthesis of composite materials with different loading factors of rice husk and polymers. The third phase of the study will be material characterisation to assess the tensile strength, yield strength, and flexural strength; analysis of the surface and cross-section morphology using the SEM and TEM instruments; and determination of the water absorption characteristics. The last phase of the study will be the compilation and write-up of the final results and the presentation of the data.
Table 4 Research work plan
| Activity | Months | |||||
| May | June | July | August | September | October | |
| Preliminary research review and sourcing of the raw materials from rice fields and recycled plastic disposal sites. | ||||||
| Laboratory-based synthesis of composite materials with different loading factors of rice husk and polymers. | ||||||
| Material characterisation to assess the tensile strength, yield strength and flexural strength. Analysis of the surface and cross-section morphology Analysis of the water absorption characteristics | ||||||
| Optimisation of the mechanical properties | ||||||
| Research report/thesis write-up |
The proposed work plan suggests that the research activities will commence in May 2022. The proposed six months duration might change depending on the availability of the precursors for the composite materials and laboratory infrastructure, among other unforeseen circumstances. The research window will be adjusted accordingly in line with the research plan activities.
Ethical Considerations
The principal ethical issue of concern was a conflict of interest in the optimisation of the modulus of elasticity (MOE), water absorption, high tensile strength, modulus of rapture, flexural strength, and impact strength (Ismail, Yassen, and Afify, 2011; Racca et al., 2018; Yamin et al., 2018). A researcher’s professional judgement during research might be compromised by financial and personal considerations (University of California, 2022). The issue will be addressed through self-funding of the research; this would help to ensure that external stakeholders had no undue influence on the research outcomes.
Benefits and Limitations of the Methodology
The proposed experimental study will have mixed benefits. On the other hand, the experimental approach will contribute new knowledge and insights beyond what is presented in the literature. The new evidence would help establish whether the enhancement of mechanical properties involved a tradeoff between performance and the optimal rice husk fibre ratios needed to achieve desired mechanical strength of composite construction panels. On the other hand, the preparation and characterisation of composite materials were time and resource-intensive. Additionally, there was a risk of errors in instrumentation linked to calibration and sampling errors.
Conclusion
The proposed research will contribute new insights into the utility of recycled plastics and waste rice husk materials in construction panels. In contrast to past scholarly studies, the proposed research will focus on the mechanical properties of the K95, K85, long grain and organic golden rose medium grain rice husk varieties in polymer composites. The scope was justified by the gaps relating to the tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, density, and water absorption of different rice husk varieties in different polymers such as PVA, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride given that different polymer ratios, and pyrolysis temperature had a distinctive impact on the composite materials mechanical strength. The focus on biomass-derived fillers for construction materials is anticipated to catalyse the production of affordable and durable materials.
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