The effect of using flame retardant mineral fillers on physical and thermal properties of poly lactic acid-rice husk composite

Considering the increase of environmental pollutant resulted from agglomerating rubbish and wastes containing stable petroleum-based polymers, substitution of these polymers with bio-polymers and solving their problems and defects in the production process as well as the final products is an important topic. In this study, the possibility of the production of poly lactic acid (PLA)-rice husk composite with acceptable properties, and also the effect of using flame retardant mineral fillers of aluminum three hydrates (ATH) and magnesium di-hydroxide (MDH) on physical and thermal properties of the produced composite were investigated. Results indicated that the density of PLA-rice husk composite was higher than petroleum-based polymers composites (PP/HDPE-rice husk composites); and flame retardant mineral fillers addition led to an increase in the composite density. Also, flame retardant mineral fillers addition decreased the composite water absorption and thickness swelling, in a way that they were comparable with petroleum-based polymers composites. Results of thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that flame retardant mineral fillers addition also decreased the temperature of the composite weight loss curve peaks, and the weight loss rate toward temperature rising.