Tensile properties of silicone biocomposite reinforced with waste material (Hevea brasiliensis sawdust): Experimental and numerical approach

Hevea brasiliensis wood becomes residue at plantations in Malaysia. In this study, these residues were reinforced into silicone rubber to produce a new soft biocomposite (Hevea brasiliensis-silicone biocomposite). The newly introduced soft biocomposite has potential for use in cushioning and sealing applications. The specimens were prepared with five different compositions (0 wt%, 4 wt%, 8 wt%, 12 wt%, and 16 wt% fiber content). Tensile tests were conducted according to ASTM D412 (2008) to assess the mechanical properties. Morphological characteristics were analyzed from the fractured surface of specimens. Stress-stretch data was used to quantify the non-linear tensile behavior, which was based on Neo-Hookean, Mooney-Rivlin, and Ogden hyperelastic constitutive equations. An increase in fiber content improved the modulus of silicone rubber. However, it reduced the flexibility and elastic properties of the silicone rubber biocomposite. The increasing material constant values supported these findings. The hyperelastic models accurately represented the behavior of the Hevea brasiliensis-silicone biocomposite. This study contributes knowledge towards a better understanding of the mechanical behavior of Hevea brasiliensis-silicone biocomposites.