Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.128, No.2, 1170-1175, 2013
Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Waste Eurycoma longifolia Fiber/Montmorillonite Reinforced Poly(vinyl chloride) Hybrid Composites
Hybrid composites are currently spearheading in polymer composites field with the promising ability in improving polymer properties. The influence of Eurycoma longifolia (EL)/montmorillonite (MMT) hybrid fillers loading on the mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) hybrid composites has been investigated. PVC resin and various additives were first dry-blended using a laboratory blender before being milled into sheets using two-roll mills at 165 degrees C and hot pressed at 180 degrees C and 120 kgm(-2). The mechanical properties of PVC hybrid composites were determined using Izod impact, tensile, and flexural test. The incorporation of EL fiber into PVC matrix improved the flexural modulus, tensile modulus of PVC composites, whereas the tensile strength and impact strength decreased with increasing EL fiber content. The addition of MMT into EL-filled PVC composites has significantly increased the flexural modulus, tensile modulus of PVC hybrid composite compared to PVC composites. However, MMT decreased the flexural strength and impact strength of PVC hybrid composites. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 128: 1170-1175, 2013