The Potential of Oil Palm Ash and Eggshell Powder as Hybrid Biofillers in Natural Rubber Biocomposites

Abstract

Astronomical amounts of solid biomass wastes are generated globally each day. It is imperative that the potential of conversion and utilisation of these wastes be identified and implemented, thus reducing landfill load and recovering value from this immense source of material. Natural rubber biocomposites were produced by compounding natural rubber matrix with oil palm ash and eggshell powder as hybrid fillers. The mechanical properties of the biocomposites were determined. It is observed that the biocomposites exhibit higher stiffness than the unfilled natural rubber compound. Acid treatment is found to further increase the stiffness of the biocomposites.