Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.110, No.1, 368-375, 2008
Enhancement of PVC/ENR blend properties by poly(methyl acrylate) grafted oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber
Effect of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber and poly(methyl acrylate) grafted OPEFB oil several mechanical properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber (PVC/ENR) blends were studied. The composites were prepared by mixing the fiber and the PVC/ENR blends using HAKEE Rheomixer at the rotor speed of 50 rpm, mixing temperature 150 degrees C, and mixing period of 20 min. The fiber loadings were varied from 0 to 30%, and the effect of fiber content ill the composites Oil their ultimate tensile strength (UTS), Young's modulus elongation at break, flexural modulus, hardness, and impact strength were determined. An increasing trend was observed in the Young's modulus, flexural modulus, and hardness with the addition of grafted and ungrafted fiber to the PVC/ENR blends. However the impact strength, UTS, and elongation at break of the composites were found to decrease with the increase in fiber loading. An increase in elongation at break and UTS and decrease in the flexural and Young's modulus was observed with the addition of PMA-g-OPEFB fiber compared to ungrafted fiber. This observation indicates that grafting of PMA onto OPEFB impart some flexibility to the blend. The morphology of cryogenically fractured and tensile fracture surfaces of the composites, examined by a scanning electron microscope shows that the adhesion between the fiber and the matrix is improved upon grafting of the OPEFB fiber. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.