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The effects of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR-50) and processing parameters on the properties of natural rubber/ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (NR/EPDM; 70 : 30 phr) blends were studied. The compounds were prepared by melt compounding method. Using response surface methodology of two-level full factorial, the effects of ENR-50 contents (21 : 5 phr; 11 : 10 phr), mixing temperature (21 : 50 C; 11 : 110 C), rotor speed (21 : 40 rpm; 11 : 80 rpm), and mixing time (21 : 5 min; 11 : 9 min) in NR/EPDM blends were evaluated. Cure characteristics and tensile properties were selected as the responses. The significance of factors and its interaction was analyzed using ANOVA and the model's ability to represent the system was confirmed using the constant of determination, R 2 with values above 0.90. It was found that the presence of ENR-50 has the predominant role on the properties of NR/EPDM blends. The addition of ENR-50 significantly improved cure characteristics and tensile strength up to 5.12% and 6.48% compared to neat NR/EPDM blends, respectively. These findings were further supported by swell measurement, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy.

This study investigates the mechanical properties of high impact polypropylene composite reinforced with pineapple leaf fibre from the Josapine cultivar as a function of fibre loading. PLF was extracted by using a pineapple leaf fibre machine and then an alkaline treatment was conducted to enhance the properties. Samples of the composite were fabricated with 100 mm fibre length with five different fibre loadings of PLF (30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 wt%). The fabrication was made by a compression moulding technique with unidirectional fibre orientation. Related tests such as tensile, hardness and density tests were conducted to determine the effect of fibre loading. The experimental data showed that the composite with the 60 wt% fibre loading offered the highest value of tensile strength, which was about 309%, and the Young's modulus was about 540% compared to 0 wt% of PLF loading. Meanwhile, the hardness and density of the PLF/PP composites showed very similar values, with small increments from 30 wt% up to 70 wt% PLF loading compared to 0 wt% of PLF loading. The highest values are 65.38 Shore-D and 1.002 g/cm³ respectively. The results also revealed that PLF from the Josapine cultivar with alkaline treatment greatly influences the mechanical properties of PLF/PP composite.

Nowadays, natural fiber is an interesting option and it is the most widely applied fiber in composite technology. The natural fibers are used in most of the industries and are increasingly being considered as reinforcements for polymer-matrix composites because they are perceived to have sustainability value. This research paper aims to enlighten the existing development in natural fiber composites in automotive applications. Additionally, this research paper reviews the related papers from the year 2006 until 2013. Finally, a summary of selected products that have been identified by car manufacturers were identified.