Synthesis of Rice Straw Fiber Reinforced Natural Rubber Composite and Effects of Surface Treatment in its Mechanical Properties

Abstract

In the last decade the use of natural fiber in reinforcement of composite materials is increased, because of growing environmental awareness. The main objective of present work is to study the mechanical properties of rice straw fiber reinforced natural rubber composites at different weight fractions (20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 60%) of rice straw fiber under treated and non treated conditions. At first the fiber is treated with NaOH, and then composite is manufactured for both untreated and treated fiber. After the synthesis of rice straw fiber reinforced natural rubber composite, The effects of surface treatment in its mechanical properties are studied. Rice straw fiber reinforced natural rubber composites were manufactured according to ASTM standards using compression molding technique. The developed composites were then tested for their mechanical properties, tensile, tear, density, abrasion, hardness, compression, and water absorption properties. The standard test methods used is, ASTM-D638M for tensile properties.