Tensile Properties of Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)/ Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBRr)/ Rice Husk Powder (RHP) Composites

Abstract

The compatibilizer effect of ENR-50 on the tensile properties and morphology of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)/ recycled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBRr)/ rice husk powder (RHP) composites has been studied. The RHP size utilize in this work is 150 – 300 μm. LLDPE/NBRr/RHP composites were prepared by melt mixing technique at 180 °C for 9 minutes at 50 rpm rotor speed using heated two roll mill. The series of composites investigated were 100/0/5, 80/20/5, 70/30/5, 60/40/5, 50/50/5, and 40/60/5. The composites were analysed by using tensile test and morphology examination. The result showed that the tensile strength of composite was decreased with the increasing of recycled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBRr) content while elongation at break (Eb) were increased. However, the tensile strength and elongation at break result for composites with ENR-50 as compatibilizer showed higher values. The morphological finding supports the tensile properties which indicate better interaction between the RHP filler and LLDPE/NBRr matrix in the presence of ENR-50 compatibilizer.