article · Journal of Materials Research and Technology
This research examines the mechanical performance of bio-based composites made by combining date palm fibres with nitrile butadiene rubber. Using a Brabender internal mixer followed by rolling, the materials were manufactured and tested according to standardised ASTM protocols. The evaluations focused on tensile strength, tensile modulus, strain, tear resistance, mechanical hardness, and compression behaviour across different fibre loadings. The findings show that a 40 percent weight fibre loading achieved the highest elastic modulus, tear resistance, and compression strength, reflecting good adhesion and compatibility between the rubber matrix and the natural fibres. However, higher fibre contents also led to increased brittleness and strain. In terms of mechanical hardness, composites formulated with a 30 percent weight fibre content yielded the most favourable results, pointing to specific mechanical trade-offs depending on composition.
Replacing synthetic fillers with agricultural waste fibres can make industrial rubber products more sustainable. By demonstrating that date palm fibres can enhance the strength, stiffness, and compression resistance of nitrile butadiene rubber, this work supports the development of greener composite materials that lower reliance on purely petroleum-based formulations while maintaining crucial mechanical properties.
This work demonstrates an applied, laboratory-tested route for manufacturing bio-based rubber composites. The resulting materials could serve industrial users needing components with oil, fuel, abrasion, and heat resistance. While the compounding and standardised mechanical testing show promising performance at 30 to 40 percent fibre weight loadings, the development remains at an experimental stage prior to prototype testing or scale-up for specific commercial parts.
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The recent focus on enhancing sustainability has emphasized the proper utilization of natural fibers and waste materials. Natural fiber reinforced composites have emerged as a promising solution for future bio-based products. This study aims to investigate the synergistic effects between date palm fiber (DPF) and Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) in order to develop innovative bio-based composites suitable for diverse industrial applications. The composites were produced through a mixing process using a Brabender internal mixer, followed by rolling. Various reinforcement materials and processing conditions were employed to characterize and analyze the mechanical properties of the composites. These properties included tensile strength, tensile modulus, strain, tear resistance, mechanical hardness, and compression behavior, assessed according to ASTM standards. The results revealed that the composites with a 40 wt% fiber loading exhibited the highest elastic modulus and tear resistance, indicating good compatibility and adhesion between the fibers and rubber. Additionally, the composites displayed increased brittleness and strain with higher fiber content. The mechanical hardness of the composites suggested their potential for various industrial applications, with the best results obtained at a 30 wt% fiber loading. Furthermore, the compression strength of the composites, evaluated using the ASTM D395 standard and a compression molding method, displayed significant improvement at a 40 wt% fiber content, indicating favorable characteristics and potential for industrial applications requiring oil, fuel, abrasion, and heat resistance in the form of bio-based products.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2024.01.092
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