Effects of fiber composition and <i>graft</i>‐copoly(ethylene/maleic anhydride) on thermoplastic natural rubber composites reinforced by aramid fiber

Abstract

Abstract Thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) composites of natural rubber and high‐density polyethylene at a ratio of 70/30 were prepared by melt blending with aramid fibers using an internal mixer. The fiber loadings were varied from 0 to 30% for systems with and without graft ‐copoly(ethylene/maleic anhydride) (PE‐ g ‐MA) as a compatibilizer to study the variation of mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties. The tensile strength, modulus, hardness, and storage modulus improved with fiber loadings for both systems. The interaction between the matrix and fiber had also improved with the addition of PE‐ g ‐MA. Nevertheless, different behavior was observed in tan δ peak. The tan δ peak decreased with the increment of Twaron composition in the system with PE‐ g ‐MA and increased in the system without PE‐ g ‐MA. The results showed the importance of PE‐ g ‐MA in the system in improving the mechanical properties of Twaron–TPNR composite. POLYM. COMPOS., 27:395–401, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers