| Summary: | The feasibility of developing kenaf fiber (KF) reinforced recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) and recycled polypropylene (rPP) with comparison to two different reinforcing fillers, KF and montmorillonite (MMT) reinforced rPET/rPP was studied. In addition, the compatibilizer of ethylene vinyl acetate grafted maleic anhydride (EVA-g-MA) at composition 0-10 phr was used. Composites were prepared using twin-screw extruder and followed by injection molding. The optimum blend ratio of rPET/rPP was observed at 90 wt% rPET and 10 wt% rPP. Thermogravimetric analysis data showed that thermal stability of uncompatibilized rPET/rPP blend with ratio of 90/10 had maximum degradation temperature at 399.3 oC. Differential scanning calorimetry data revealed that rPET/rPP blend had two melting temperatures. The incorporation of 5 phr EVA-g- MA improved tensile and impact strength of the blends. Besides, the maximum decomposition temperature of rPET/rPP blend also increased. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs revealed that by adding EVA-g-MA, uniform particles sizes of rPP was observed, indicating an interaction between both of tertiary carbon of rPP and ester group of rPET with EVA-g-MA. The addition of KF into compatibilized blend decreased mechanical and thermal properties. The maximum value of tensile and impact strength of the blends was obtained at 43.9 MPa and 43.4 J/m respectively, when 1 phr of MMT was added into the rPET/EVA-g-MA/rPP/KF blend. However, SEM micrograph showed that the addition of 4 phr MMT led to filler agglomeration which decreased tensile strength of rPET/EVA-g- MA/rPP/KF/MMT composite.
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