Abstract
Composites have been prepared by melt blending thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) with aramid fibres in an internal mixer for various mixing times, at various temperatures and rotor speeds. The optimum processing parameters were 12 minutes, 155 °C and 50 rpm. The compatibilising effects of polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) on the composites were examined at concentrations from 0–14%. The tensile strength increased from 12.6 MPa to 15.7 MPa and modulus from 113 MPa to 136 MPa in the presence of 12% PE-g-MA. The impact strength also increased considerably. The compatibiliser also caused the storage modulus, E' to increase but a reduction in the tan delta peak. Scanning electron microscopy of the fractured surfaces revealed that strong interfaces were formed on addition of the compatibiliser.