Experimental study on the influence of fibre surface treatments and coconut shell powder addition on the compressive strength, hardness and tribological properties of sisal fibre-natural rubber composites

In the present environment scenario, toxic wastes and their disposal is a major issue. Use of natural materials is the viable solution for this problem. This work aims to design and develop an elastomer composite using natural materials - natural rubber composite reinforced with sisal fibres. Since rubber components are essentials in industrial products, the developed material has lot significance. Six composites made with sisal fibres with various surface modifications and a 10%w/w coconut shell filler powder in natural rubber matrix. Sisal fibres used are raw fibre, alkalised fibres, rubber pre-impregnated raw fibres and rubber pre-impregnated alkalised fibre. The specimens tested for wear resistance, compressive strength and hardness. Maximum wear resistance exhibited by alkalised pre-impregnated sisal-rubber composite, followed by raw pre-impregnated-coconut shell powder-rubber composite. The hardness of raw sisal-rubber and raw pre-impregnated fibre composites improved by 228% than pure rubber (25 Shore A). Compressive strengths also showed improvements.