Sustainable Polypropylene Composites Filled with Rice Husk Ash: A Comparative Study with Conventional Mineral Fillers and Silane Modification

Authors : Serkan Kurt, Beyza Altaylı

Pages : 212-225

Doi:10.51764/smutgd.1805493

View : 89 | Download : 180

Publication Date : 2025-12-12

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The transition towards sustainable polymer systems requires the use of bio-based alternatives to conventional mineral fillers. This study investigates the effect of rice husk ash (RHA), an agricultural waste product which is abundant in silica, as a sustainable filler for polypropylene (PP). Composites were created using calcite, talc, RHA, RHA combined with a silane coupling agent, and silane modified RHA at various loadings (10–40 wt.%) and were assessed for their mechanical, physical, thermal, and morphological characteristics. Results revealed that while mineral fillers (calcite, talc) enhanced stiffness and ductility, RHA provided a favorable balance of performance with the additional benefit of lower density. In addition to this, the silane coupling agent significantly improves interfacial adhesion and dispersion, provides better structure and superior thermal stability, including the highest HDT and Vicat values. Overall, RHA emerged as a lightweight, renewable, and technically competitive filler, aligning with circular economy principles. These findings reveal the application potential and importance of rice husk ash in areas such as automotive, electronics and consumer products, where the demand for lightweight and sustainable materials is increasing.
Keywords : Pirinç kabuğu külü, Polipropilen kompozitler, Sürdürülebilir dolgu maddeleri, Yüzey modifikasyonu

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