Effects of Poly(Vinyl Chloride)-Grafted-Maleic Anhydride on the Poly(Vinyl Chloride)/Epoxidized Natural Rubber/Kenaf Core Powder Composite

Abstract

PVC-g-MA has been synthesized to replace the conventional PE-g-MA as the compatibilizer in PVC/ENR/kenaf core powder composites. The presence of the maleic anhydride grafting on PVC was made evident by infrared analysis. PVC/ENR/kenaf core powder composite samples were prepared using Haake Polydrive with the temperature of 140°C, with different kenaf core powder loading (5, 10, 15 and 20 phr) and incorporating PVC-g-MA with 4 phr. The water absorption and thermo-oxidative ageing properties of the composites were investigated. The results indicated that the percent of water uptake decreased with the incorporation of PVC-g-MA. The thermo-oxidative ageing test shows that the ageing properties of PVC/ENR/kenaf core powder composites with the addition of PVC-g-MA are lower compared to PVC/ENR/kenaf without PVC-g-MA.