Preparation and Characterization of Natural Zeolite and Rice Husk Ash as Filler Material HDPE Thermoplastic

Abstract

This study aims to determine the size of the natural zeolite partike, rice husk ash, and to know the effect of fillers on the mechanical strength of the composite. The method is done by two methods, the first method of natural zeolite and rice husk ash puree by using Ball Mill for 1 hour to obtain a particle size of 74 µm. Further to the natural zeolite dissolved in 2 M HCl, rice husk ash with NaOH 2.5 M. results of each ingredient in a ball mill for 15 hours to obtain particles in nano-meter size. Both of these materials are used as filler in thermoplastic HDPE. This mixture of materials with a ratio (70/30, 60/40, 50/50, 40/60, 30/70) wt% were mixed in an internal mixer at a temperature of 150⁰C laboplastomil at a rate of 60 rpm for 10 minutes. The results of XRD analysis of rice husk ash obtained particle size of 53.12 nm with dominant phase of SiO₂ (Cristobalite). For natural zeolite obtained size 44.46 nm with dominant phase Al₂CaO₈Si₂ (Anorthite). mechanical properties of the composites, obtained the biggest increase in a mixture of 60/40 compared to pure HDPE.

Keywords: HDPE, zeolite, rice hush ash, mechanical XRD analysis