Mechanical Properties of Phormium Tenax Reinforced Natural Rubber Composites

The introduction of natural fibers as a filler in a natural rubber (NR) matrix can be of relevance for their eco-friendly and sustainable nature as the substitute for carbon-based fillers. In this work, short Phormium tenax fibers were introduced in random orientation into a NR matrix in different l...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Fibers 2021-02, Vol.9 (2), p.11
Main Authors: Palanisamy, Sivasubramanian, Mayandi, Kalimuthu, Palaniappan, Murugesan, Alavudeen, Azeez, Rajini, Nagarajan, Vannucchi de Camargo, Felipe, Santulli, Carlo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
abrasion
Abrasion resistance
Carbon black
Cellulose
Composite materials
Elongation
fiber length
Fibers
Fillers
Hardness
Leaves
Mechanical properties
Natural rubber
Rubber
rubber composite
Sustainability
Tensile strength
untreated Phormium tenax
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Summary:The introduction of natural fibers as a filler in a natural rubber (NR) matrix can be of relevance for their eco-friendly and sustainable nature as the substitute for carbon-based fillers. In this work, short Phormium tenax fibers were introduced in random orientation into a NR matrix in different lengths (6, 10, and 14 mm) and various amounts (10, 20, and 30%, taking 100 as the NR weight). The composite was fabricated using a two-roll mill according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D3184-11 standard. Several properties were determined, namely tensile and tear characteristics, hardness, and abrasion resistance. The results suggest that the shortest fiber length used, 6 mm, offered the best combination between loss of mechanical (tensile and tear) properties and hardness and the most acceptable resistance to abrasion, with the properties increasing with the amount of fibers present in NR. As a consequence, it is indicated that a higher amount of fibers could be possibly introduced, especially to achieve harder composites, though this would require a more controlled mixing process not excessively reducing tensile elongation at break.
ISSN:2079-6439
2079-6439
DOI:10.3390/fib9020011