Physico-mechanical properties of oil palm wood flour filled natural rubber composites

This paper reports on the physico-mechanical properties of Oil Palm Wood Flour (OPWF) filled natural rubber composites. The composites were prepared with a laboratory two roll mill and hot press. Increasing OPWP loading in natural rubber compounds resulted in reduction of tensile strength, tear strength and elongation at break but increased tensile modulus and hardness. The incorporation of OPWF has also resulted in the reduction of fatigue life. As the filler loading increases, the poor wetting of the OPWF by the rubber matrix gives rise to poor interfacial adhesion between the filler and rubber matrix (as evidenced by the scanning electron microscopy fatigue fracture surface). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.