查看文章

Polylactic acid (PLA)/natural rubber (NR)/ kenaf core powder (KF) biocomposite was prepared via melt blending in internal mixer followed by hot pressed. The loading of kenaf was varied at five different loadings (0 phr, 5 phr, 10 phr, 15 phr, 20 phr). Kenaf core powder is gradually added to study the effect of kenaf loading on the biocomposite based on water absorption and impact properties. Water absorption percentages of biocomposite increased with increasing kenaf loading attributed from the hydrophilicity of kenaf itself. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) was utilized to study the impact fractured surface and filler-matrix adhesion. Addition of kenaf core powder was found to deteriorate the impact strength of biocomposite due to poor interfacial adhesion as proven by FESEM micrograph.