Properties of Karas (unscreened sawdust) polypropylene thermoplastic composite in relation to filler loading / Anizah Mohamad

In this study thermoplastic composite was produced from sawdust of Karas (Aqualaria malaccensis) without screening mixed with polypropylene (PP). The filler loading ratio used in study was 10%, 30% and 50%. Physical and mechanical test such as thickness swelling, water absorption, tensile strength and flexural, elongation at break and elasticity modulus were carried to determine the effects of loading. The result show that thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) decreased with higher tiller loading. The mechanical properties of flexural, tensile strength and elongation at break also decreased with higher tiller while flexural and tensile modulus increase. Karas sawdust are suitable to be used as a tiller in the manufacture of polypropylene-composite.