Effects of Polyethylene Grafted Maleic Anhydride on the Mechanical, Morphological, and Swelling Properties of Poly (Vinyl Chloride)/Epoxidized Natural Rubber/Kenaf Core Powder Composites

The effects of polyethylene grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) on the properties of poly (vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber (PVC/ENR) kenaf core powder composites were studied, with four different loadings of kenaf core powder (5, 10, 15, and 20 phr). The tensile properties indicated that the strength and elongation at break of the composites exhibited an increase for samples with PE-g-MA. Morphological analysis using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed better dispersion of kenaf fiber with the addition of PE-g-MA and less kenaf powder agglomeration. Furthermore, the swelling index indicated that composites with PE-g-MA showed lower toluene absorption than composites without PE-g-MA.