Characterization and comparison of oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber composite with and without stearic acid as compatibilizer in polypropylene/recycled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber matrices

Abstract

The effect of stearic acid (SA) as compatibilizer in polypropylene (PP)/ recycled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBRr)/ oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber composites were studied. The composites were prepared by mixing the PP/NBRr/OPEFB fibers using heated two roll mill at temperature of 180 °C with speed of 15 rpm within 9 minutes for six formulation (70/20/0, 70/20/5, 70/20/10, 70/20/15, 70/20/20, 70/20/30) phr. The effect of SA on tensile and morphological properties of PP/NBRr/OPEFB fibers composites were identified. The composites sample with treated OPEFB fibers have a better tensile strength and young modulus compared to the composites sample with untreated OPEFB fibers. Scanning electron microscopy showed better adhesion between OPEFB fiber and PP/NBRr matrices in the presence of SA.