Abstract
A compression molding machine was developed to produce bio-composite polymers using rice and coffee
husks as reinforcing filler (5% weight) with high density polyethylene (95% weight) as the base polymer.
Rice and coffee husks are typically disposed by open burning in fields. Their use as reinforcing fillers
therefore reduces on the negative impacts of their disposal. The developed compression molding machine
was constructed using mainly mild steel and stainless steel. It consisted of heating chamber, mold base,
compression shaft and observation window. A temperature controller was incorporated to regulate the
temperature in the heating chamber. Elongation, tensile strength and water absorption tests were carried out
on the developed bio-composite polymers. Results indicated that inclusion of rice husks (5%) reduced the
tensile strength and percentage elongation of the developed bio-composite polymer. Similar results were
observed with coffee husk. Highest water absorption rates of 8% were observed for bio-composite polymers
developed with Arabica coffee husks.
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