Development of a Novel Extrusion Process for Preparing Rice Straw/LLDPE Composites

Straw utilization is a key issue related to agricultural production and air pollution control. In this study, novel extrusion process was proposed improve the physical mechanical properties of straw-reinforced linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) composite. Instead crushing straw mixing it with plastic matrix, new method mixes matrix in its original form. The intact long rice straws were parallelly spread on LLDPE film then rolled up together into prefabricated roll. rolls experienced three processes as follows: (1) twin-screw melting, cooling crushing, single-screw extruding; (2) melting (3) directly extruding. testing results showed that straw/LLDPE composite (with ratio 6:4) prepared by Method exhibited optimized properties. Characterization scanning electron microscopy indicated damage fibers relatively minor, orientation good, binding excellent case. dynamic (DMA), differential calorimetry (DSC) thermogravimetric (TG) analysis demonstrated composites significantly improved thermal stability energy storage modulus, compared those conventional (e.g., extruded particles/LLDPE composite). yielded enhanced while reducing dust pollution.