• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.87-95
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• 2019

In the present study, the effect of alkali treatment of rice straw on the flexural properties and impact strength of rice straw/recycled polyethylene composite was investigated. Alkali treatments were performed by means of two different methods at various sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentrations. One is static soaking method and the other is dynamic shaking method. The composites were made by compression molding technique using rice straw/recycled polyethylene pellets produced by twin-screw extrusion process. The result strongly depends on the alkali treatment method and concentration. The shaking method done with a low concentration of 1 wt% NaOH exhibits the highest flexural and impact properties whereas the soaking method done with a high concentration of 10 wt% NaOH exhibits the highest properties, being supported qualitatively by the fiber-matrix interfacial bonding of the composites. The properties between the two highest property cases above-described are comparable each other. The study suggests that such a low concentration of 1 wt% NaOH may be used for alkali treatment of natural fibers to improve the flexural and impact properties of resulting composites, rather than using high concentrations of NaOH, 10 wt% or higher. Considering of environmental concerns of alkali treatment, the shaking method is preferable to use.