The effect of epoxy resin compatibilizer on polypropylene(PP)/recycled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber(NBRr)/banana skin powder(BSP)

Abstract

Epoxy Resin (EP) was use as a compatibilizer on the properties of polypropylene(PP)/recycled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber(NBRr)/banana skin powder(BSP) composites to determine the characterization of composites with and without compatibilization. The objective of this research was to study the mechanical properties and thermal properties of PP/NBRr/BSP composites with and without epoxy resin compatibilizer. The composites were melt using heated two roll mill at 180⁰C and speed of 15 rpm with 5 different composition (100/0/10, 80/20/10, 70/30/10, 60/40/10 and 40/60/10 weight percentage). The effects of epoxy resin on mechanical properties, chemical interaction (FTIR) and morphological properties were investigated. The results showed that the incorporation of epoxy resin (EP) has improved the tensile properties of PP/NBRr/BSP-EP composite compared with uncompatibilized composite. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study of tensile fracture surfaces of the composite indicates improved adhesion of banana skin (BSP) filler with PP/NBRr/BSP matrices in the presence of epoxy resin.