Effect of wood filler size on tensile strength of thermoplastic natural rubber (tpnr) reinforced with Leucaena leucocephala wood

In this study, the effect of different size of wood filler (Leucaena leucocephala) on tensile strength and morphology of thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) was investigated. The TPNR matrices were fabricated from 70% (by weight) of polypropylene (PP), 20% of naturaI rubber (NR) and 10% of liquid natural rubber (LNR) by melt blending method by using Haake rheomixer. The wood filler with different size (150 micron, 180 micron and 425 micron) was added to improve the mechanical properties of the TPNR matrices. The material consists 90% TPNR matrix and 10% of wood filler was blended and their mechanical properties determine by using a mechanical universal testing machine according to ASTM 0790-92. The ANOYA analysis from SPSS software at 0.05% significant level, there is no significant effect wood filer size on tensile strength and young modulus of thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) reinforced with Leucaena leucocephala wood. Morphological picture from of 425 µm of wood filler composite shows a smoother surface and less gaps compare to 150 µm and 180 µm wood filler composite. From this finding, manufacturers can consider the wood filler size I50 µm, 180 µm and 425 µm without any different mechanical properties.