Effect of potassium persulfate, palm fiber length and maleic anhydride on physical properties of low grade natural rubber/cassava starch/palm fiber composite

Abstract

© 2014 American Scientific Publishers. The effects of K2 S2 O8 , palm fiber length and maleic anhydride (MA) on the physical properties of the green composite made of low grade natural rubber (LNR), cassava starch (CSt) and palm fiber prepared by using two-roll mill and compression molding were investigated. The tensile strength of LNR/CSt composite containing 10% palm fiber with < 450 μm fiber length was improved by addition of 1 g K2 S2 O8 . The swelling ratio in toluene of this composite was dramatically decreased due to the higher interaction between polymer matrix and fiber confirmed by SEM images. The highest tensile strength and the lowest swelling ratio in toluene was obtained with using 0.5 K2 S2 O8 , 0.2MA and palm fiber length of < 450 μm.