Restructuring of coir to microfibers for enhanced reinforcement in natural rubber

Microfibers were prepared from coir, an important lignocellulosic fiber, by chemico‐mechanical treatment. The microfibers with a diameter of 8–13 μm were incorporated in natural rubber and the resultant biocomposites were evaluated for the reinforcing effect of microfibers. Latex stage processing em...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymer composites 2019-01, Vol.40 (1), p.414-423
Main Authors: Parambath Kanoth, Bipinbal, Thomas, Teena, Joseph, Joseph M., Narayanankutty, Sunil K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomedical materials
Coir
Elastomers
Latex
Lignocellulose
Mechanical properties
Microfibers
Natural rubber
Organic chemistry
Polymers
Rubber
Skeletal composites
Thermal stability
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Summary:Microfibers were prepared from coir, an important lignocellulosic fiber, by chemico‐mechanical treatment. The microfibers with a diameter of 8–13 μm were incorporated in natural rubber and the resultant biocomposites were evaluated for the reinforcing effect of microfibers. Latex stage processing employed for composite preparation reduces fiber agglomeration and provide uniform dispersion of microfibers in the elastomer matrix. Microfiber/natural rubber composites were found to exhibit significant improvement in mechanical properties compared with unfilled and macrofiber filled composites. Microfibers showed higher thermal stability compared with untreated coir. However, degradation resistance of microfiber composites remain lower with respect to vulcanized natural rubber. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:414–423, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
ISSN:0272-8397
1548-0569
DOI:10.1002/pc.24667