Thermo-Physical Properties of Kenaf-Filled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Composites

Abstract

Studies on advantageous of natural fillers incorporated into polymer composites on thermo-physical and mechanical properties are still intensively investigated. Several evidences suggest that the natural fillers with small contents combined with polymer increase their composite properties. We thus investigate thermo-physical properties of kenaf-filled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) composites. ABS with 5% kenaf microparticle size (ABS/K5), ABS with 5% kenaf short fiber (ABS/KSF5), and recycled ABS with 5% kenaf microparticle size (RABS/K5) were manufactured. Granular composites were manufactured by the twin screw extruder. Composite properties in terms of X-ray diffractions, surface morphologies, and thermal behaviors were investigated. The present work found that ABS/KSF5 has the highest degree of crystallinity compared to others. No significant difference was found in terms of thermal properties of the composites.