Effect of Trans-Polyoctylene Rubber on the Polypropylene/Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber/Empty Fruit Bunch Composites

The fabrication of new thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) composites made up from polyproylene (PP), recycled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBRr) and empty fruit bunch fibre (EFB) were investigated. The composites with and without trans-polyoctylene rubber (TOR) as compatibiliser was also studied. PP/NBRr/EFB composite samples were prepared by using a heated two-roll mill at 180°C for 11 min. The composites were moulded by using hot press machines at temperature 180°C within 11 min. The ratio of composite investigated were 100/0/10, 80/20/10, 70/30/10, 60/40/10, 50/50/10 and 40/60/10. Meanwhile, the ratio of TOR was fixed at 10 phr for composite with compatibiliser. The tensile strength, Young’s modulus and elongation at break (Eb )were recorded using INSTRON Universal Testing machine. The morphological properties of composites were performed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The chemical structure of PP/NBRr/EFB composites was also analysed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum. It was found that the tensile strength and Young’s modulus were decreased with increasing of NBRr loading while the Eb was increased. The morphological examination indicated that the presence of TOR compatibilisers showed improvement in adhesion and better interfacial bonding between filler and matrix. This can be seen clearly under morphological and spectral studies of PP/NBRr/EFB and PP/NBRr/EFB/TOR composites.