Sustainable automotive interior trim components based on SBR-expanded polystyrene composites reinforced with biomass fibers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to apply styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) as virgin alongside expanded polystyrene (EPS) resin as a recycled polymer after consumption in the presence of bagasse fibers (BF) as biomass source derived from sugarcane in different concentrations to reinforce this polymeric matrix to form affordable composites that can be used in manufacturing low-cost and sustainable car interior-trim constituents. Design/methodology/approach SBR and EPS represent an example for thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) that integrate the characteristics of thermoplastic and elastomeric materials. Dioctyl phthalate was added as a plasticizer to EPS for avoiding rigidity upon being introduced to the other components. Moreover, BF were coupled with maleic anhydride for enhancing the compatibility and adhesion between these cellulosic fibers with the present elastomeric and plastic materials. Findings These composites are crosslinked and can be then shaped according to the required shape of the car trim part by using dicumyl peroxide at high temperature. Physical, mechanical and thermal properties are investigated to expound the optimum composite that can be used among the prepared ones. Originality/value The resulting composites can be used in filling the inner parts of vehicles presenting a low-cost material with an environmental solution to reduce the amount of some disposed polymers and biomass wastes toward a greener environment.