Effects of Areca Husk Fiber Loading and Alkaline Treatment on Properties of Natural Rubber Latex Foam

Abstract

The impact of integrating areca husk fiber (AHF) and employing alkaline treatment on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological characteristics of natural rubber latex foam (NRLF) is examined in this research. Areca husk fibers, derived from agro-industrial waste, were included in the NRLF matrix at different loadings (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 pphr). The fibers were chemically treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to enhance surface roughness and augment interfacial interaction with the NRLF. Tensile tests indicated enhanced tensile strength at the appropriate filler load of 15 pphr for untreated AHF and 10 pphr for treated AHF. The elongation at break was decreased as fiber loadings increased, with greater elongation exhibited by treated AHF-filled NRLF compared to untreated AHF-filled NRLF. The foam’s density and compression set increased with elevated fiber loadings; however, treated AHF-filled NRLF demonstrated improved elasticity and thermal stability compared to untreated samples. Filler-matrix interactions were validated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed reduced cell sizes and more homogeneous foam formations in the treated AHF samples. The results indicate that the efficacy of NRLF is enhanced by the alkaline treatment of AHF, rendering it an appropriate material for sustainable composite applications.