This research shows a great potential of cogon grass fiber to be used as a reinforcement in epoxidized natural rubber composites. The thermal and mechanical properties of cogon grass fiber-epoxidized natural rubber composites were studied. The chemical treatment of cogon grass fiber to be used as a reinforcing filler was revealed. Effects of fiber treatment method and treatment time of cogon grass fiber on thermal properties of the fibers and their composites were elucidated. The addition of cogon grass fiber into epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) improved the mechanical properties of the composites.The result indicated that alkaline treatment followed by acid treatment of cogon grass fiber led to an increase in thermal decomposition temperature and mechanical properties of the composites more than that without acid treatment. With increasing the amount of fiber, tensile strength of ENR composites were significantly increased while elongation at break was insignificantly changed. ENR with the addition of 4-Amino-6-hydroxy-2-mercaptopyrimidine monohydrate as coupling agent (ENRC) was shown to have higher tensile strength, modulus at 200% elongation and elongation at break than ENR. Improved mechanical properties were also obtained in ENRC composites compared to those of ENR composites.
Study on the ageing characteristics of oil palm ash reinforced natural rubber composites by introducing a liquid epoxidized natural rubber coating technique