Abstract: Rice husk powder was treated with a coupling agent and blended with high density polyethylene forming composites. The composites were subjected to infrared and SEM analysis, their mechanical and rheological properties were tested. It showed that the addition of coupling agent reduced the melt flow rate and improved the dispersion and compatibility of PE-HD/rice husk powder. Optimal mechanical properties of the composites were obtained while the mass ratio of coupling agent, PE-HD, and rice husk powder was 1∶100∶50. The introduction of coupling agent increased the bending strength and impact strength of the composite by 32.2 and 140 %, respectively. When the rice husk powder content increased, the melt flow rate of the composite decreased, the bending strength increased, and the tensile strength, impact strength and elongation at break were reduced. The infrared analysis of silane grafted PE-HD showed that the grafting reaction between coupling agent and PE-HD was occurred.

Key words: high-density polyethylene, wood-plastic composite, coupling agent, mechanical property