Flexural Properties of Green Composites made of Latania Natural fiber and PP/EPDM Composites

Abstract- In the present research, for the first time, effects of adding short latania natural fiber into polypropylene (PP) reinforced ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) composites on the flexural behavior of PP/EPDM composites have been investigated. The flexural three-point bending test for latania/PP/EPDM composites with different weight percentages of latania natural fiber was conducted. Infusion moulded method was utilized to fabricate standard specimens. Different weight percentages were considered and the load-deflection diagrams were compared. It was revealed that adding natural fiber could enhance the bending stiffness and ultimate bending strength of PP/EPDM composites. The fabrication procedure and testing conditions for the composite specimens were intentionally the same as those mentioned in a recent original article published by journal of reinforced plastics and composites. The results obtained by latania natural fiber reinforced PP/EPDM were then compared with those for jute natural fiber reinforced PP/EPDM composites available in the existed literature and the optimized fiber was introduced. Keywords - , s, ,