Mechanical properties of rubber-wood fiber filled pvcenr blend

Abstract

The effect of rubber-wood fiber (RWF) on the mechanical properties of the 50/50 polyvinyl chloride/epoxidized natural rubber (PVC/ENR) blend was investigated over a range of fiber loadings (0 to 30%). The RWF filled PVC/ENR blend was prepared by using a Haake mixer at 150oC mixing temperature, 10 min. total mixing time and 50 rpm rotor speed. Changes in tensile strength (Ts), Young’s modulus, modulus at 100% elongation (M100), elongation at break (Eb), flexural modulus, hardness and impact strength with the RWF loadings were investigated. The results revealed that the flexural modulus, Young’s modulus and hardness increased with the RWF loading. However, the impact strength, Ts and Eb were found to decrease with the increase in RWF loading. The morphology of tensile fracture surfaces of the composites, examined by a scanning electron microscope provides evidence for the poor adhesion between the RWF and the blend matrix