Nonlinear Viscoelastic Creep Characterization of HDPE-Rice Husk Composites

Abstract

Rice husk based plastic composites are increasingly being used as deck-boards, railings and other load-bearing materials. Since this material typically contains 40% plastic, and plastics creep with respect to time when they carry load, creep is an important issue here. So the viscoelastic characterization of this material and the prediction of creep as a function time is of paramount importance for the material's long-term commercial success. Creep is a time related deformation but it can also be affected by the stress level and environmental conditions, such as time and temperature. In order to predict the creep of this composite, it is important to derive a relationship between deformation, time, temperature, relative humidity and stress. Nonlinearity can exist in the stress, temperature, and moisture related deformation. In this study, hollow extruded rice husk -HDPE beams were subjected to creep and recovery in flexural mode and the stress related nonlinear creep behaviour of the same was studied phenomenologically. Both linear and non-linear region constants were determined with modified models, and a predictive model was developed. These constants will be used to define, model and predict long-term creep deformation.