The effect of trans-polyoctylene rubber (TOR) as compatibilizer on polypropylene (PP)/ recycled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBRr)/banana skin powder (BSP) composite

Abstract

In this study, effect tensile properties on Polypropylene (PP)/ Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBRr)/ Banana Skin Powder (BSP) composite with addition of Trans-Polyoctylene (TOR) as compatibilizer was examined. The samples were prepared and mixed using heated two roll mills at 180℃ for 50 rpm of speed. The composites were compressed into 1 mm sheet by using GO-Tech Compression hot press machine before it was cut into dumbbell shape for tensile test. The results showed an increment on the tensile strength and Young’s Modulus in the composite with TOR compared to the composite without TOR. However, for elongation at break, Eb the result showed a lower percentage for composite with TOR compared to the composite without TOR. Decreasing pattern in tensile strength and Young’s Modulus and increasing pattern in Eb are the effect from the increasing of NBRr content in the formulation. In the water absorption studies, the result showed an increase of moisture content (%) over time and a lower percentage of water absorption for the PP/NBRr/BSP composite with TOR than the composite without TOR.