The effect of alkaline treatment on mechanical properties of Polypropylene (PP)/Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBRr)/Banana Skin Powder (BSP) composites

Abstract

Composite materials are replacing conventional materials in so many fields and natural fibers are also used for the preparation of composites as synthetic reinforcement. However, natural fiber reinforced composites have several drawbacks such as poor wettability, incompatibility with some polymeric matrices and high moisture absorption by the fibers. Therefore, surface treatment is necessary for modifying fiber’s morphology in order to improve the interaction between fiber and matrix. In this research work, alkaline treatment was used as surface treatment to treat banana skin powder. PP/NBRr/BSP composites were prepared by incorporation of banana skin powder at different loadings (5/10/15/20/25/30) into PP/NBRr matrix with an internal mixer. The effects of alkaline treatment on properties of PP/NBRr/BSP composites were investigated for mechanical properties, FTIR and SEM. Alkaline treated BSP caused a significant increase in tensile modulus and decrease in tensile strength and elongation at break of PP/NBRr/BSP composites when increase the filler loading. This is because of the hydrophilic nature of banana skin powder has been reduced due to this alkaline treatment. Therefore, bonding between matrix and filler has increased. Besides that, results from micrograph SEM observations, indicate that better adhesion between banana skin powder and polypropylene/NBRr matrices for all alkaline treated composites.