Thermoplastic Elastomer Composites of Palm Ash-Filled Ethylene Vinyl Acetate/Natural Rubber Blends: Effects of Palm Ash Loading and Size

Abstract

Thermoplastic elastomer composites of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/natural rubber (NR) blends filled with palm ash were prepared by melt-mixing using a Haake Rheomix Polydrive R600/610 at 120°C with rotor speed of 50 rpm for 10 minutes. Increase in palm ash loading in composites resulted in increase the value of stabilization toque, Young's modulus and swelling resistance of the composites, but decreased the tensile strength and elongation at break. Scanning electron microscope micrographs revealed that higher filler loading resulted in agglomeration of palm ash in the composites. When smaller particle size of palm ash was used, further improvement in tensile strength, elongation at break, swelling resistance and stabilization torque value were observed.

Keywords:

• EVA
• Mechanical properties
• Natural rubber
• Palm ash
• Thermoplastic elastomer

Notes

∗Three different sizes of palm ash as were used, e.g., 500, 150 and 75 microns.