AB Fereidoon - Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran
Vahid Daghigh - Young Researchers and Elite Club, Jasb Branch, Islamic Azad University, Delijan, Iran
Kamran Nikbin - Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College, London, UK

Biodegradability and environmental concerns have been the main reason behind using natural fiber composites. In present research work, latania natural fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) and ethylene-propylene diene monomer (EPDM) composites are considered and the effects of thermal fatigue cycles on their hardness properties are investigated. For this purpose, Rockwell hardness tests were conducted on the composite specimens, which have previously been subjected to a certain number of thermal fatigue cycles ranged from +40 ºC to -20 ºC. The results showed that the hardness behaviors of latania natural fibers reinforced PP/EPDM composites were affected by thermal fatigue cycles.

PP/EPDM composites, Latania natural fiber, thermal fatigue cycles, impact