Tensile properties of Kenaf core with polypropylene and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber composites

The reaction of kenaf core powder (KCP)/polypropylene/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) blends with and without a coupling agent, benzoyl chloride is analyzed. The filler loading ranging from 0% to 30% were prepared by using grinding machine and blended with the PP/NBR composites. The increase in only KCP loading in PP/NBR/KCP composites reduced the tensile strength and the elongation at break but increases the tensile modulus. The addition of benzoyl chloride as a coupling agent increased the tensile strength, elongation at break, and modulus of the composites. This investigation proves the enhancement in the adhesion between the filler and polymer matrix. The incorporation of coupling agent also increases the tensile properties of treated composite.