Blend of recycle polypropylene/kenaf fiber/recycle natural rubber/montmorillonite: The effect of natural rubber plasticizer against tensile strength and burning rate properties of smart composites

Abstract

It has been synthesized smart composites from recycle polypropylene (rPP), kenaf fibre (KF), montmorillonite (MMt), Zinc Borate (ZB) and recycle natural rubber (rNR). The composites were synthesized through reactively solution method, using coupling agent PP-AA and crosslinker DVB. The addition of rNR plasticizers acting as bio-compatibilizer will produce softer composite. It will improve the elasticity by increased of percentages elongation properties. Soft composite can rise input capacity filler to reach the optimum condition. The better of loading capacity will improved mechanical (tensile strength, TS) and physical (inflammability) properties. At the optimum condition, the composites can increase tensile strength (TS), time to ignition (TTI), and decrease young modulus (YM), burning rate (BR) compared to that of the optimum composite without rNR plasticizers.