The Effects of Untreated and Treated Kenaf Loading on the Properties of Kenaf Fibre-Filled Natural Rubber Compounds

Natural rubber compounds with untreated and treated kenaf were prepared with different loading i.e., 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 phr. The compounds were cured at 150 degrees C according to its cure time, t(90). Curing characteristics, tensile properties, rubber-filler interaction and morphology properties of the rubber compounds were tested. Curing characteristics showed that scorch time, t(s2) and cure time, t(90) decreased with increasing of fibre loading and treatment. Mechanical properties of kenaf filled natural rubber compounds decreased with increasing of fibre loading but increased with fibre treatment. Swelling measurement and morphological study showed that better rubber-filler interaction was obtained with treated kenaf.