Tensile and Morphological Properties on Kenaf Core or Bast Filled Natural Rubber Latex Foam (NRLF)

Abstract

Abstract These days, commercial foam originated from the oil based item like polyurethane (PU) foam, polyethylene (PE) foam, and polycarbonate (PC) foam. Oil is a non-inexhaustible asset that we have to moderate as it faces a genuine exhaustion issue. The utilization of NRLF go about as a promising green foam originates from the natural tree which is inexhaustible assets. In this study, natural rubber latex foam (NRLF) based on kenaf core and bast were prepared by using Dunlop method. The tensile properties and microstructural characterisation of kenaf filled NRLF analysed at different loading of kenaf core and bast were carried out. The tensile strength was carried out accordance ASTMD3574-03 (E). It was found that tensile strength and elongation at break decreased with increased content of kenaf. However, modulus at 100% increased with increased kenaf content. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results demonstrated that the fibrous kenaf bast had a strong adhesion to matrix compared to the particulate kenaf core resulted in higher tensile strength, elongation at break and M100.