International Journal of Materials, Mechanics and Manufacturing, Vol. 2, No.

2, May 2014

Mechanical Properties of Rice Husks Fiber Reinforced

Polyester Composites
I Wayan Surata, I Gusti Agung Kade Suriadi, and Krissanti Arnis

 Currently a number of automotive components previously

Abstract—Indonesia as a tropical agricultural country has made with glass fiber composites are now being manufactured
great potential to develop and utilize fiber derived from using environmentally friendly composites. The use of natural
agricultural waste. Rice husks are an important by-product of fibers in automotive has two advantages, namely vehicles
rice milling process that can be used as reinforcement in
composite products. The purpose of this study was to examine
become lighter, which means improved fuel efficiency, and
the mechanical properties of rice husks fiber polyester improved the sustainability of production because it can be
composites. Composites were produced with unsaturated cultivated [4], [5].
polyester resin as the matrix and rice husks as fiber. The matrix Indonesia as a tropical agricultural country has great
type is polyester Yukalac 157 BQTN, and methyl ethyl ketone potential to develop and utilize fibers derived from
peroxide as catalyst. Composites were made by hand lay-up agricultural residues or wastes. Rice husks are amongst the
techniques, with the variation of fiber weight fraction 20, 30, 40
and 50%. Tensile test specimens were made according to the typical agricultural residues, which are easily available in
ASTM D3039, and flexural test specimens according to the huge amounts generated from rice milling process. The
ASTM D790M. The results showed that the tensile and flexural lowland rice area in Indonesia covered 7.8 million hectares
strength of the composites increased when the fiber weight yielding 4.6 tons of mill-dry unhusked rice (milled rice) per
fraction increased. hectare, or a total of about 35.88 million tons per year [6].
Milled rice is composed of 63 % rice or the equivalent of 22.6
Index Terms—Flexural strength, polyester, rice husks, tensile
million tons and rice husks as much as 13.27 million tons per
strength, weight fraction.
year. So far, the utilization of rice husks at the farmer level,
especially in rural area is still limited as fuel for cooking and
I. INTRODUCTION compost. Recently, the manufacture of composite materials
from agricultural residues such as rice husks has been able to
Composite consisting of two or more materials that have
make a commercial product. Rice husks developed into a raw
different characteristics, where one serves as a binder material
material to produce ash known as rice husk ash (RHA). The
and the other as a fiber. The properties of the composites are
use of rice husk ash with an appropriate combination of the
strong, lightweight, corrosion resistant, wear resistant, and
cement mixture would produce a better cement composite [7].
attractive in appearance. Many composites have been
The researches on utilization of natural fibers are still ongoing
developed with various types of synthetic fibers in order to
to find ways to use lingocellulosic fibers in place of synthetic
improve the mechanical properties. Currently, the type of
fibers as reinforcing fillers, including rice husks fibers.
composite tends to change from composite with synthetic
Using natural fibers as reinforcing fillers facing several
fibers to natural fibers. This is because the composite with
underlying factors related to characteristics of lignocellulosic
synthetic fibers such as glass fibers are not environmentally
materials, and should be concerned in order to meet the
friendly, lead to problems of waste glass fiber, which can not
requirement of mechanical properties. Properties of
be decomposed by nature [1]. Composites with natural fibers
composites with natural fibers are strongly influenced by the
have many significant advantages over composites with
bond strength between the matrix and fibers. Binding
synthetic fibers such as low cost, lighter weight, available in
properties between the matrix and the fiber can be improved
the form of plants or waste, non-toxicity, and does not cause
or enhanced with a variety of chemical treatments on natural
skin irritation [2]. The convenience of these composites lies in
fibers such as using NaOH, KMnO4, silanes, permanganate,
the fact that the ingredients are obtained easily from natural or
and peroxide [8]. Alkaline treatment of kenaf and hemp fibers
agricultural wastes and hence the composites can be made
with polyester matrix can improve the mechanical and
relative easily.
thermal properties of composites [9]. Jamasri et al. [1]
Natural fibers can be cultivated so that its availability is
reported that the alkaline NaOH treatment can improve the
sustainable. However, natural fibers also have many
tensile properties of fiber composites of oil palm waste.
weaknesses such as irregular dimensions, stiff, susceptible to
Mechanical strength of composites reinforced with natural
heat, easy to absorb water, and quickly obsolete [1]. Ideally
fibers can be improved by adjusting the ratio of the weight
composite materials used in structures where strength to
fraction of the fiber in the composite.
weight ratio into consideration [3]. Attempts have been made
Some natural fibers such as sisal, coir, jute, hemp, flax,
to use natural fiber composites in non-structural application.
pineapple leaf, banana, hemp, jute, bamboo, and palm oil has
been developed as a reinforcement filler to make composites
Manuscript received December 10, 2013; revised February 21, 2014. [8], [10]. Mwaikambo and Ansell [11] reported that the alkali
The authors are with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty
of Engineering, Udayana University, Jimbaran, Bali, 80361, Indonesia treatment with NaOH concentrations between 4-6 % yield
(e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]).

DOI: 10.7763/IJMMM.2014.V2.121 165

 International Journal of Materials, Mechanics and Manufacturing, Vol. 2, No. 2, May 2014

stiffness and maximum stress on fiber hemp. Soaking time for cut into tensile and flexural specimens based on ASTM
2 hours in the treatment of oil palm fiber with 5 % NaOH standard D3039 and D790M respectively. Tensile test was
produced the highest tensile strength [1]. The length and done by universal testing machine, and flexural test using
diameter of the fibers also affect the mechanical strength of three-points loading method. The data obtained were
the composite. Ultimate tensile strength of the composite fiber analyzed, and the result was shown as the correlation of
banana/phenol obtained on banana fiber length of 30 mm [12]. tensile and flexural properties versus fiber weight fraction.
On hemp fiber, found the smaller the fiber diameter
relationship stronger the fiber [11]. The aims of this research
were to examine the tensile and flexural strength of rice husks III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
fibers polyester composites that made by hand lay-up
technique using different value of fibers weight fraction 20, A. Tensile Properties
30, 40 and 50%. The tensile strength at break for rice husks fiber composites
with variation of fiber weight fractions were presented in
Table I, and graphically were shown in Fig. 3.
II. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
TABLE I: TENSILE PROPERTIES OF RICE HUSKS FIBER COMPOSITE
Rice husks fibers were obtained from a local rice mill
factory. Fig. 1 is the waste of rice husks around a factory that Fiber weight Tensile strength Strain Modulus
fraction (MPa) elasticity
might contain many impurities such as sand, dust, bran rice, (%) (%) (GPa)
and other small particles. The research was started by
selecting the rice husk waste which has average size of 7 mm 0 18.22 1.60 1.13
length × 1.5 mm width × 0.2 mm thickness as shown in Fig. 2. 20 32.53 1.22 2.66
30 36.26 1.12 3.23
The selected rice husks were cleaned by washing with fresh
40 41.06 1.00 4.10
water and dried under the sun. The fibers then were soaked in
50 46.40 0.91 5.09
5% NaOH solution in water bath for 2 hours. The treated
fibers were rinsed in fresh water to neutralize the effect NaOH,
and left to dry naturally at room temperature.

Fig. 3. Tensile strength as a function of fiber weight fraction.

Fig. 1. Rice husks waste.
It can be seen from the graph on Fig. 3 that as the fiber
weight fraction increased to 20%, the tensile strength shows
remarkable increased. Then as the fiber weight fraction
continually increased, the tensile strength of the composites
slightly increased. It was clear that tensile strength of the
composites increased with increasing in percentage of fiber
weight fraction, and presented the highest average value of
46.40 MPa at fiber weight fraction 50%, and the lowest of
32.53 MPa at fiber weight fraction 20%. Tensile modulus also
improved with increasing the fiber weight fraction in the
composites, the highest average value of 5.09 GPa at fiber
Fig. 2. Rice husks size.
weight fraction 50%, and the lowest of 2.66 GPa at fiber
Unsaturated polyester Yukalac 157 BQTN, and methyl weight fraction 20%. However, the strain of the composites
ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKPO) were used as matrix decreased as the fiber weight fraction increased, with the
components. Polyester and hardener 1% volume were mixed highest average value of 1.22%, at fiber weight fraction 20%,
in a container and stirred to form matrix. Then the rice husks and the lowest 0.91% at fiber weight fraction 50%.
were poured gradually and stirred well to make mixture of Hardinnawirda and Aisha [16] reported that the tensile
fibers within the matrix homogeneous. Then the mixtures strength of the rice husk composites moderate increased for
were poured into the mould. The composites with the the 25 wt% filler loading, the values ranged between 12-16
variation of fiber weight fraction 20, 30, 40 and 50% were MPa. Meanwhile in this study the tensile strength was
made by hand lay up techniques. The curing time was about 2 obtained between 32.53 - 36.26 MPa at fiber weight fraction
hours at temperature 65° C. Finally, composites plates were 20 - 30%. The differences due to the alkali treatment, where

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 International Journal of Materials, Mechanics and Manufacturing, Vol. 2, No. 2, May 2014

rice husks fibers soaked in 5% NaOH solution for 2 hours, and the lowest of 89.70 MPa at fiber weight fraction 20%.
resulted the rice husk has clean surface and leading to better Flexural modulus also improved with increasing the fiber
interfacial bonding between the rice husks fiber and matrix. weight fraction in the composites, the highest average value of
On contrary, Badri [17] found out that the tensile strength of 6.60 GPa at fiber weight fraction 50%, and the lowest of 3.73
rice husk fiber composite was higher than the result in this GPa at fiber weight fraction 20%. However, the strain at break
study, with average value of 86.7 MPa. The differences due of the composites decreased as the fiber weight fraction
to the filtering of rice husk, so the rice husk fiber became increased, with the highest average value of 3.08%, at fiber
smooth. The smaller the fiber diameter increases the strength weight fraction 20%, and the lowest 2.30% at fiber weight
of the composites [11]. fraction 50%.
The maximum stress of the composite depends on several Diharjo et al. [14] found that the flexural strength and
factors, one such factor is the weight or volume fraction of the flexural modulus of kenaf-polyester composites increased
fiber. Some studies related to this theorem in application of with increasing in percentage of fiber weight fraction. The
natural fiber have been reported. Wambua et al. [8] reported same result was obtained in ramie fiber composites, where the
that the tensile strength and tensile modulus of natural fibers flexural strength and flexural modulus increased linearly with
composites increased with increasing fiber volume fraction. increasing the volume fraction of fiber in the composites [13].
Furthermore, Jamasri et al. [1] reported that the tensile Alkalized of kenaf and hemp fiber composites gave higher
strength and tensile modulus of oil palm fiber composite flexural modulus and flexural strength compared with
increased as the fiber weight fraction increased. Same composites made from as-received fibers as in [9].
tendency result was found in the ramie fiber composites,
which the tensile strength and tensile modulus of the
composites increased with increasing fiber volume fraction IV. CONCLUSION
[13]. Joseph et al. [12] found that the tensile strength of Mechanical properties of rice husks fiber reinforced
composites increased regularly with increasing the weight polyester composites have been observed. The tensile
fraction of banana fiber in composites. Jamasri et al. [1] and strength and tensile modulus of the rice husks composites
Wijang et al. [15] presented that the increasing in the fiber increased with increasing fibers weight fraction. The similar
weight fraction were followed by increasing in tensile results were found that the flexural strength and flexural
strength of the composite. modulus also increased with increasing fibers weight fraction
B. Flexural Properties in the composites. Mechanical properties of rice husks fiber
composites were affected by fiber fraction and alkalisation.
The flexural strength at break for rice husks fiber
Alkalisation caused a better interfacial bonding between rice
composites with variation of fiber weight fractions were
husks fiber and polyester matrix, and yielded the
presented in Table II, and graphically were shown in Fig. 4.
improvement of the mechanical properties.
TABLE II: FLEXURAL PROPERTIES OF RICE HUSKS FIBER COMPOSITE
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Fiber weight Flexural Strain Modulus
fraction strength elasticity The authors wish to thank the Mechanical Engineering
(%) (MPa) (%) (GPa) Department, Faculty of Engineering, Udayana University,
0 82.94 2.90 2.86 Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia, for providing the laboratory
20 89.70 3.08 3.73 facilities to carry out the research work.
30 100.03 2.81 4.55
40 109.85 2.71 5.22
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50 118.67 2.30 6.60
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bast fibre composites: Part 1 – polyester resin matrix,” Composites I Wayan Surata was born in Nusa Penida, Klungkung,
Science and Technology, vol. 64, pp. 1219-1230, 2004. Bali, Indonesia on July 5, 1958. He received the doctor
[10] K. M. M. Rao and K. M. Rao, “Extraction and tensile properties of degree in the field of Ergonomics from Udayana
natural fibers: Vakka, date and bamboo,” Composite structures, University, Jimbaran, Bali Indonesia in 2011. He worked
Elsevier, 2005. as a lecturer, senior lecturer, and an assistant professor in
[11] L. Y. Mwaikambo and M. P. Ansell, “Hemp fibre reinforced cashew the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Presently,
nut shell liquid composites,” Composite Science and Technology, vol. he is working as an associate professor in the Department
63, pp.1297-1305, 2003. of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,
[12] S. Joseph, M. S. Sreekala, Z. Oommen, P. Koshy, and S. Thomas, “A Udayana University, Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia. He participated in some
comparison of the mechanical properties of phenol formaldehyde international research collaborations such as with Toyohashi University of
composites reinforced with banana fibres and glass fibres,” Technology Japan, and University of Occupational and Environmental
Composites Science and Technology, vol. 62, pp. 1857-1868, 2002. Health Japan. His current research interests lie in the field of composites,
[13] I. W. Surata, N. M. Dwidiani, and P. O. Alfano, “Pengaruh fraksi metallurgy, renewable energy, ergonomics, and manufacturing process.
volume serat terhadap sifat tarik dan lentur komposit berpenguat serat
rami dengan matriks polyester,” in Proc. 2012 SNTTM-XI Conf., 2012, I Gusti Agung Kade Suriadi was born in Negara, Bali,
MAT-031, pp. 1551-1555. Indonesia on April 9, 1966. He received his master
[14] K. Diharjo, J. Soekrisno, and H. S. B. Rochadjo, “The flexural and degree in industrial engineering from Institute
impact properties of random and woven kenaf fiber reinforced Technology of Sepuluh November, Surabaya, Indonesia
polyester composite,” in Proc. 2005 SNTTM-IV Conf., 2005, G3, in 2001. He worked as a lecturer, and an assistant
pp.13-16. professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering,
[15] W. R. Wijang and D. Ariawan, “Pengaruh Modifikasi Serat terhadap Faculty of Engineering, Udayana University, Jimbaran,
Karakteristik Komposit UPRs-Cantula,” Jurnal Poros Jurusan Teknik Bali, Indonesia. His fields of research include production
Mesin FT-UNTAR, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 200-206, 2006. planning, logistics, ergonomics, and manufacturing process.
[16] K. Hardinnawirda and I. S. Aisha, “Effect of rice husks as filler in
polymer matrix composites,” Journal of Mechanical Engineering and
Sciences (JMES), vol. 2, pp. 181-186, 2012. Krissanti Arnis is in the final stage in finishing her undergraduate course at
[17] M. M. Badri, “Pengaruh pembebanan statik terhadap perilaku mekanik the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,
komposit polimer yang diperkuat serat alam,” Jurnal Dinamis, vol. 2, Udayana University, Jimbaran, Bali Indonesia. Her research interests
no. 4, pp. 46-52, 2009. include composite materials, metallurgy, and manufacturing process.

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