The effects of coconut husk fiber versus coconut shell powder in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composites

Abstract

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is one of the thermoplastic where can be enhanced the characteristics by adding filler. TPU have been used in a wide variety of industries fields. This research describes the effect of coir fiber versus coconut shell in TPU blends. The volume fraction for both natural fillers content added into the TPU are same which are 5%, 10% and 15%. Both of the natural filler compounded with the TPU using heated two roll mill and were compacted using compression molding. TPU filled with coconut shell particle has high tensile strength and good elongation at break compared with TPU filled coconut husk fiber. However, TPU filled with coconut shell has low modulus elasticity due to poor interfacial bonding formed between the filler and TPU. SEM morphology of the TPU filled with coconut shell particle more homogenous compared with TPU filled with coconut husk fiber. TPU filled with coconut husk fiber have a better oil absorption than TPU filled with coconut shell in the cooking oil because the composition and porosity of the sample enable the oil molecule easily immersed into the composite microstructure. The oil absorption test in engine oil form only slightly changes in the percentage of oil absorption of the coconut husk fiber and coconut shell particles. This due to the retention capability of the engine oil that easily to absorbed into composite porosity. TGA for TPU filled with coconut husk fiber and TPU filled coconut shell have good thermal stability at T90 when the filler content increased in the composite