Experimental characterization of Latania natural fiber reinforced PP/EPDM composites in Charpy impact

Experimental characterization of Latania natural fiber reinforced PP/EPDM composites in Charpy impact

Recently, global warming has come out be a growing concern in the world. One of the main reasons behind global warming is using synthesis materials. The idea of natural and bio-composites substitution for synthesis composite materials has therefore attracted many researchersʹ attention. In the present research, for the fist time, the latania natural fiber was employed to reinforce a composite material blend of polypropylene (PP) and ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM). Infusion moulded method was utilized to fabricate standard specimens. Different weight percentages of latania natural fiber were considered and the energy absorptions were compared. It was found that adding natural fiber could enhance the energy absorption capability by PP composites. The fabrication procedure and testing conditions for the composite specimens were intentionally the same as those mentioned in a recent original research article on jute fiber reinforced PP/EPDM composites published by journal of reinforced plastics and composites. The results obtained by the latania natural fiber reinforced PP/EPDM were then compared with those for jute fiber reinforced PP/EPDM available in the existing literature and the optimized fiber was introduced.