Performance of Cameroonian natural rubber as a polymer matrix for ecofriendly fiberboard: Modeling of water absorption and prediction of mechanical properties

This research work sheds light on the manufacture of Eco-friendly fiberboards (EFBs) based on natural rubber (NR). Modeling of water absorption and prediction of tensile properties of EFBs were then developed. Sisal fibers (SF) are used for reinforcement at 50, 60, 70 and 80% rates. The 0% compound is the vulcanised natural rubber (NRV). Sulphur vulcanisation through thermo-pressure was used to produce the EFBs. Cross-linking density, mechanical, thermal, chemical and hydrous properties were investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) revealed that SFs altered the thermal stability of NR that goes from one to three phases of thermal degradation and increases its stiffness through the increase of the young’s modulus (from 7.53 ± 0.72 MPa for NR to 31.59 ± 6.61 MPa for the best EFB value). Predictions based on the Weibull distribution set the load with the best properties at 50% for an ultimate tensile stress of 10 MPa. An analytical modeling based on the Fick water absorption process of EFBs and NRV have been developed and the load at 60% SF is defined as the threshold by the analytical model with a diffusion coefficient of 0.073 mm²/s. NRV thus shows its high suitability in the manufacture of EFBs which can be used for various purposes in the automobile sector.