Coconut-fiber-reinforced rubber composites

Different formulations of rubber with chopped coconut fiber (treated and untreated) as reinforcing agent were prepared. These reinforced systems were vulcanized at 153°C and the properties of the vulcanizates were studied by stress–strain, shore A hardness, and abrasion loss measurements. The bonding between the rubber and fillers were improved by the addition of bonding agents. The bonding effect of different bonding agents were compared. The reinforcing property of the treated fiber was compared with the untreated one. Aging resistance of the composites were studied. The fracture surfaces have been studied by scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM) and the failure mechanism has been explained.