The fabrication of new thermoplastic elastomer composites made up from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and kenaf core (KC) were studied. The composites with and without trans-polyoctylene rubber (TOR) as compatibilizer was investigated. LLDPE/NBR/KC composite samples were prepared by using a heated two-roll mill at 130°C for 13 minutes. Then, the composite were moulded by using hot press machines at temperature of 130°C within 12 minutes. The ratio of composite investigated were 100/0/10, 80/20/10, 70/30/10, 60/40/10, 50/50/10 and 40/60/10 for both series. Meanwhile, the ratio of TOR was fixed at 10phr for composite with compatibilizer. The tensile strength, Young's modulus and elongation at break were recorded using INSTRON Universal Testing machine. The morphological properties of composites were also observed by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Meanwhile, the chemical composition of composite with and without TOR compatibilizer was investigated by using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). From the result obtained, the tensile strength and modulus were decreased with increasing of NBR loading while the elongation at break (Eb) was increased. The morphological examination indicated that the presence of TOR compatibilizers showed improvement in adhesion and better interfacial bonding between filler and matrix.
