The characterization and properties of low linear density polyethyelene (LLDPE)/ acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)/ palm press fiber (PPF) with γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane coupling agent

Palm press fibres is a agriculture by-product from palm oil industry. This solid agriculture fibrous waste contributes to environmental problems such as abundance in solid waste. Plenty of experiment has done by researcher to embed nature plant fibres as reinforcement material in thermoplastic elastomeric polymer composite as well as to overcome this environmental issue. Hence, by aiming these issues, a study in identified the characteristic and properties of low linear density polyethyelene (LLDPE)/ acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)/ palm press fiber (PPF) composite with cooperation of γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane(γ-APS) coupling agent were investigated. The composite was melted using heated two roll mill at 135℃ and 15rpm of rotor speeds with the recipes (100/0/10, 80/20/10, 70/30/10, 60/40/10, 50/50/10 and 40/60/10 weight %). The present of γ-APS in LLDPE/NBR/PPF composite on mechanical and morphological properties were investigated. The result shown, the surface modification of PPF filler has enhanced and improved the tensile properties compared to untreated filler composite. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) study on tensile fracture approved the better adhesion of PPF filler with LLDPE/NBR matrices.