Performance of Rubberwood Fiber–Thermoplastic Natural Rubber Composites

Abstract

Rubberwood fiber–thermoplastic natural rubber (RWF–TPNR) composites were prepared and evaluated in this study. The RWFs were supplied in the form of thermomechanical pulp (TMP) from the Hume Fiberbord Company in Malaysia. The fibers were screened to 0.5–1 mm sizes and blended with TPNR and maleic anhydride–grafted polypropylene (MAPP) as a compatibilizer in the internal mixer of Brabender Plasticorder machine. The mechanical, thermal properties and morphology of the composites were investigated by tensile, impact, flexural, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the tensile strength and Young's modulus increased, while tensile strain and impact strength decreased with increasing of fiber loading. Thermogravimetric analysis showed an increasing degradation temperature of the samples with RWF. On the other hand, SEM micrographs showed good adherence between fibers and matrix with the presence of MAPP.