Characterization of injection moulded bamboo and tire rubber reinforced plastic composites

This work reports the formulation of injection moulded tire rubber reinforced bamboo polymer composites (RBP), its characterization, and comparison with bamboo polymer composite (BPC). Shredded milk packets (SMP) and maleated polyethylene (MaPE) were used as binding and coupling agents, respectively. Various combinations of RBP and BPC along with 100SMP were prepared. Density, bending strength, tensile strength, Water Immersion Test, Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX) and Thermo-gravimetric Analysis (TGA) tests were done to characterize the composite. It was observed that increasing GTR (ground tire rubber) content in RBP combinations enhances its resistance against water. It was found that water resistance and volumetric swelling properties of 40RBP was better than BPC combinations. Thickness swelling in 40RBP was lesser than 50BP and higher than 50BMA. Flexural and tensile strength properties of RBP combinations were decreasing with the increasing GTR content. The modulus of elasticity (MOE) and tensile strength properties of RBP composites were comparable to those of BPC combinations, but a significant difference was observed between them for the modulus of rupture (MOR). On HDT analysis, it was observed that the deflection temperature was decreasing with increasing GTR content. TGA analysis depicted higher thermal stability of RBP combinations compared to that of 100SMP, 50BP, and 50BMA, as RBP combinations produced residues at higher temperatures. Encapsulation of GTR particles in polymer matrix was evident from SEM images, showing mechanical interaction between GTR and polymer matrix. Carbon, Oxygen, and Nitrogen, along with traces of Silicon, Sulphur, Calcium, and Titanium were reported by EDAX analysis.