Utilization of bowstring hemp fiber as a filler in natural rubber compounds

The cure characteristics and physicomechanical properties of natural rubber (standard Nigerian rubber) vulcanizates filled with the fiber of bowstring hemp (Sansevieria liberica) and carbon black were investigated. The results showed that the scorch and cure times decreased, whereas the maximum torques increased, with increasing filler loadings for both bowstring hemp fiber and carbon black filled vulcanizates. The tensile strength of both bowstring hemp fiber and carbon black filled vulcanizates increased to a maximum at a 40 phr filler concentration before decreasing. The elongation at break and rebound resilience decreased, whereas the modulus, specific gravity, abrasion resistance, and hardness increased, with increasing filler contents. The carbon black/natural rubber vulcanizates had higher tensile strength, which was about 1.5 times that of bowstring hemp fiber/natural rubber vulcanizates. This superiority in the tensile strength was probably due to the higher moisture content and larger particle size of the bowstring hemp fiber. However, the bowstring hemp fiber/natural rubber vulcanizates showed superior hardness. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Guayule natural rubber composites: impact of fillers on their cure characteristics,dynamic and mechanical behavior

Guayule natural rubber (GNR) is an alternative resource of Hevea natural rubber (HNR) with 99.9% cis content in its 1,4-polyisoprene chemical backbone. In this study, compounds were formulated independently with four different reinforcing fillers such as carbon black (HAF), precipitated silica (VN3), fume silica (FUM) and nanofly ash (NFA) for the advancement of GNR based products. The cure characteristic, dynamic-mechanical performance and mechanical properties of GNR composite were studied with the reinforcing effect of different fillers on GNR. The cure characteristic results demonstrated that HAF and FUM silica filled compounds had more processing safety than VN3 and NFA filled compounds. Viscoelastic parameters of the vulcanizates were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis to estimate the glass transition characteristics and dynamic behavior. The higher storage modulus of FUM silica vulcanizate was an indication of superior filler reinforcing nature and improved rolling resistance than other filled systems. Additionally, HRTEM analysis also proved the better filler dispersion ability of FUM silica in GNR matrix. The mechanical properties were studied with a variation of each filler loading of 8, 16, and 32 phr in GNR vulcanizates. The tensile strength of each filled system increased with an increase of filler content from 8 to 32 phr. In comparison, FUM silica GNR vulcanizates exhibited better mechanical properties, therefore, it was considered as a better structure-performance composite than those of HAF, VN3 and NFA filled composites.

     

On the potential of organoclay with respect to conventional fillers (carbon black,silica) for epoxidized natural rubber compatibilized natural rubber vulcanizates

Onium modified montmorillonite (organoclay) was compounded with natural rubber (NR) in an internal mixer and cured by using a conventional sulfuric system. Epoxidized natural rubber with 50 mol % epoxidation (ENR 50) in 10 parts per hundred rubber (phr) was used as a compatibilizer in this study. For comparison purposes, two commercial fillers: carbon black (grade N330) and silica (grade vulcasil‐S) were used. Cure characteristics were carried out on a Monsanto MDR2000 Rheometer. Organoclay filled vulcanizate showed the lowest values of torque maximum, torque minimum, scorch, and cure times. The kinetics of cure reaction showed organoclay could behave as a cocuring agent. The mechanical testing of the vulcanizates involved the determination of tensile and tear properties. The improvement of tensile strength, elongation at break, and tear properties in organoclay filled vulcanizate were significantly higher compared to silica and carbon black filled vulcanizates. In terms of reinforcing efficiency (RE), organoclay exhibited the highest stiffness followed by silica and carbon black filled vulcanizates. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that incorporation of various types of fillers has transformed the failure mechanism of the resulting NR vulcanizates compared to the gum vulcanizates. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) revealed that the stiffness and molecular relaxation of NR vulcanizates are strongly affected by the filler–rubber interactions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 2438–2445, 2004     

THE COMPARISON PROPERTIES OF RECYCLE RUBBER POWDER,CARBON BLACK,AND CALCIUM CARBONATE FILLED NATURAL RUBBER COMPOUNDS

The effects of filler loading on the curing characteristics, swelling behavior, and mechanical properties of natural rubber compounds were studied using a conventional vulcanization system. Recycle rubber powder (RRP), carbon black (CB) (N550), and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) were used as fillers and the loading range was from 0 to 50 phr. Results show that the scorch time, t ₂, and cure time, t ₉₀, decrease with increase in filler loading. At a similar filler loading, RRP shows shortest t ₂ and t ₉₀ followed by CB and calcium carbonate. The tensile strength, tensile modulus, and hardness increase with increase in CB loading, whereas elongation at break, resilience, and swelling properties show opposite trend. For RRP and calcium carbonate filled natural rubber compounds, the tensile strength increases up to 10 phr and starts to deteriorate at higher filler loading. The other properties such as tensile modulus, hardness, elongation at break, resilience, and swelling percentage show a small change (increase or decrease) with increase in RRP and calcium carbonate loading in natural rubber compounds. Overall results indicate that RRP can be used as a cheapener to replace calcium carbonate in natural rubber compounds where improved mechanical properties are not critical.     

Fly ash particles and precipitated silica as fillers in rubbers. I. Untreated fillers in natural rubber and styrene–butadiene rubber compounds

In this study, we investigated the effects of untreated precipitated silica (PSi) and fly ash silica (FASi) as fillers on the properties of natural rubber (NR) and styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) compounds. The cure characteristics and the final properties of the NR and SBR compounds were considered separately and comparatively with regard to the effect of the loading of the fillers, which ranged from 0 to 80 phr. In the NR system, the cure time and minimum and maximum torques of the NR compounds progressively increased at PSi loadings of 30–75 phr. A relatively low cure time and low viscosity of the NR compounds were achieved throughout the FASi loadings used. The vulcanizate properties of the FASi‐filled vulcanizates appeared to be very similar to those of the PSi‐filled vulcanizates at silica contents of 0–30 phr. Above these concentrations, the properties of the PSi‐filled vulcanizates improved, whereas those of the FASi‐filled compounds remained the same. In the SBR system, the changing trends of all of the properties of the filled SBR vulcanizates were very similar to those of the filled NR vulcanizates, except for the tensile and tear strengths. For a given rubber matrix and silica content, the discrepancies in the results between PSi and FASi were associated with filler–filler interactions, filler particle size, and the amount of nonrubber in the vulcanizates. With the effect of the FASi particles on the mechanical properties of the NR and SBR vulcanizates considered, we recommend fly ash particles as a filler in NR at silica concentrations of 0–30 phr but not in SBR systems, except when improvement in the tensile and tear properties is required. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2119–2130, 2004     

填料改性氟橡胶的制备及性能研究

针对氟橡胶加工性能不良、耐磨性差、价格昂贵的问题,以耐磨炭黑和白炭黑为增强填料,二硫化钼为减磨填料对其进行改性,考察了不同填料种类及用量对氟橡胶力学及耐磨性能的影响。结果表明：炭黑和白炭黑用量分别为25份和20份时硫化胶的综合性能最优,在此基础上,随着二硫化钼用量的增加,炭黑增强氟橡胶的摩擦系数减小,耐磨性提高,但力学性能有所降低;对于白炭黑增强氟橡胶体系,随着二硫化钼用量增大,耐磨性和力学性能均先减小后增大。     

A comparative study of aging characteristics and thermal stability of oil palm ash,silica, and carbon black filled natural rubber vulcanizates

Filler‐filled natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates were prepared by conventional laboratory‐sized two roll mills and cured using sulfuric system. The effect of thermal aging on physical properties and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of oil palm ash (OPA) and commercial fillers (i.e., silica vulkasil C and carbon black N330)‐filled NR vulcanizates at respective optimum loading and equal loading were studied. Before aging, the OPA‐filled vulcanizates showed comparable optimum strength as carbon black‐filled vulcanizates. The hardening of aged filler‐filled NR vulcanizates happened after aging, thereby tensile strength and elongation at break reduced while the modulus increased. Fifty phr carbon black‐filled vulcanizates showed better retention in tensile properties as compared to silica (10 phr) and OPA (1 phr). This was attributed to the addition of different filler loading and this finding was further explained when equal loading of filler‐filled vulcanizates was studied. Fourier transform infra‐red analysis showed chemical structure had changed and tensile fractured surface exhibited smooth appearance due to the deterioration in tensile properties after aging. TGA also denoted the thermal stability was depending on the amount of filler loading. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4474–4481, 2013     

Cardanol grafted natural rubber: A green substitute to natural rubber for enhancing silica filler dispersion

Natural rubber (NR) usage is wide‐spread from pencil erasers to aero tyres. Carbon black and silica are the most common reinforcing fillers in the rubber industries. Carbon black enhances the mechanical properties, while silica reduces the rolling resistance and enhances the wet grip characteristics. However, the dispersion of polar silica fillers in the nonpolar hydrocarbon rubbers like natural rubber is a serious issue to be resolved. In recent years, cardanol, an agricultural by‐product of the cashew industry is already established as a multifunctional additive in the rubber. The present study focuses on dispersion of silica filler in natural rubber grafted with cardanol (CGNR) and determination of its technical properties. The optimum cure time reduces and the cure rate increases for the CGNR vulcanizates as compared to that of the NR vulcanizates at all loadings of silica varying from 30 to 60 phr. The interaction between the phenolic moiety of cardanol and the siloxane as well as silanol functional groups present on the silica surface enhances the rubber–filler interaction which leads to better reinforcement. The crosslink density and bound rubber content are found to be higher for the silica reinforced CGNR vulcanizates. The physico‐mechanical properties of the silica reinforced CGNR vulcanizates are superior to those of the NR vulcanizates. The CGNR vulcanizates show lower compression set and lower abrasion loss. The dynamic‐mechanical properties exhibit less Payne effect for silica reinforced CGNR vulcanizates as compared to the NR vulcanizates. The transmission electron photomicrographs show uniform dispersion of silica filler in the CGNR matrix. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43057.     

Effect of filler–filler interaction on rheological behaviour of natural rubber compounds filled with both carbon black and silica

Rubber compounds are reinforced with fillers such as carbon black and silica. In general, filled rubber compounds show smooth rheological behaviour in measurement of Mooney viscosity or Mooney scorch time. Variation in rheological behaviour was studied in terms of the filler composition using natural rubber compounds filled with both carbon black and silica (carbon black/silica = 60/20,40/40, and 20/60 phr). The compound filled with carbon black/silica of 60/20 phr showed normal rheological behaviour. However, the compounds filled with carbon black/silica of 40/40 and 20/60 phr showed abnormal rheological behaviour, in which the viscosity increased suddenly and then decreased at a certain point during the measurement. The abnormal behaviour was explained by the strong filler–filler interaction of silica. Moreover, the abnormal rheological behaviour was displayed more clearly as the storage time of compounds is increased. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

A Comparative Study on Curing Characteristics,Mechanical Properties,Swelling Behavior,Thermal Stability,and Morphology of Feldspar and Silica in SMR L Vulcanizates

Abstract

Comparison studies on effects of feldspar and silica (Vulcasil C) as a filler in (SMR L grade natural rubber) vulcanizates on curing characteristics, mechanical properties, swelling behavior, thermal analysis, and morphology were examined. The incorporation of both fillers increases the scorch time, t ₂, and cure time, t ₉₀, of SMR L vulcanizates. At a similar filler loading, feldspar exhibited longer t ₂ and t ₉₀ but lower values of maximum torque, M_HR, and torque difference, M_HR–M_L than did silica-filled SMR L vulcanizates. For mechanical properties, both fillers were found to be effective in enhancing the tensile strength (up to 10 phr), tensile modulus, and hardness of the vulcanizates. However, feldspar-filled SMR L vulcanizates showed lower values of mechanical properties than did silica-filled SMR L vulcanizates. Swelling measurement indicates that swelling percentages of both fillers-filled SMR L vulcanizates decrease with increasing filler loading whereas silica shows a lower swelling percentage than feldspar-filled SMR L vulcanizates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on fracture surface of tensile samples showed poor filler–matrix adhesion for both fillers with increasing filler loading in the vulcanizates. However, feldspar-filled SMR L vulcanizates showed poorer filler–matrix adhesion than did silica-filled SMR L vulcanizates. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results indicate that the feldspar-filled SMR L vulcanizates have higher thermal stability than do silica-filled SMR L vulcanizates.     

Influence of Fillers and Curing Systems on the Physico-Mechanical Properties and Stability of EPDM Vulcanizates

ABSTRACT

The thermal stability was investigated for ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) rubber loaded with different white and black fillers, namely, kaolin, quartz, polyvinylchloride PVC, talc, graphite, medium thermal carbon black MT, semi reinforcing furnace black SRF, and high abrasion carbon black HAF. The fillers were added at a fixed level of 20 phr. Two curing systems were used, tetramethyl thiuram disulfide (TMTD) and sulfur/N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazyl sulfenamide (S/CBS). The effects of the curing system and type of filler on the physico-mechanical properties, before and after thermal aging were investigated. It was found that the vulcanizates cured with S/CBS system gave better physico-mechanical properties than the TMTD cured samples. However, TMTD cured EPDM has thermal stability performance superior to the other vulcanizing system.     

Influence of carbon black in polychloroprene organoclay nanocomposite with improved mechanical,electrical and morphology characteristics

Abstract

The effect of carbon black on nanoclay filled polychloroprene (CR) composites has been investigated. The nanoclay loading is fixed at 5 part per hundred rubbers (phr), and carbon black loading varied from 5 to 20 phr in rubber compounds. The rubber nanocomposites are prepared in laboratory by mixing in two-roll mill. The addition of nanoclay enhances mechanical properties especially tear strength and decreases water absorption without change in electrical properties compared to gum rubber vulcanisates. Wide angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy are used to study the microstructure of CR nanocomposites. The addition of 5 parts of nanoclay to 15 phr carbon black filled samples shows synergistic effect between the fillers and suggests that the reinforcement is due to a more developed filler network formation in hybrid filler system than that in single phase filler. Significant improvement in mechanical, electrical and low water absorption properties has been obtained with these nanoclay and carbon black filled rubber nanocomposites. The paper concludes that nanocomposites containing a mixture of organoclay and carbon black in right proportion can be a substitute for rubber components used in underwater cable and device encapsulation applications.     

Epoxy-resin-cured carboxylated nitrile rubber

Curing of carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) with epoxy resin in presence of different fillers has been studied. It was observed that 7.5 phr of resin give a compromise combination of properties in FEF black (N 550)-filled vulcanizates at 40 phr loading. Further studies at different loadings of black, reinforcing silica and clay were done at 7.5 phr resin. Technical properties at different filler loadings have been determined. Polymer-filler interaction involving FEF black, silica, and clay was examined by a Kraus plot and the equation of Lorenz and Parks. Silica and carbon black give a similar type of reinforcement, but clay shows nonreinforcing characteristics. In the case of carbon black–XNBR system, polymer-filler attachment is similar to that existing in carbon black–natural rubber system. In the case of silica, reaction of the silanol group with the epoxide group of the epoxy resin and the carboxyl group of the base polymer may be responsible for the polymer-filler attachment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies of the fracture surfaces corroborate the findings on technical properties and polymer-filler interaction.     

Transport and electrical properties of natural rubber/nitrile rubber blend composites reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotube and modified nano zinc oxide

As a surface modified zinc oxide, stearic acid‐coated nano zinc oxide (ZOS) has been prepared by sol‐gel method and was used along with N‐benzylimine aminothioformamide‐N‐cyclohexyl benzthiazyl sulfonamide binary accelerator system, multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and sulfur for vulcanizing 20/80 natural rubber/nitrile rubber (NR/NBR) blend. Different formulations have been prepared by using 1–7 phr of MWCNT. Solvent transport and electrical properties of the rubber compounds have been investigated. The equilibrium solvent uptake (Q_∞) decreased with increase in concentration of the filler due to the decrease in the free volume and the increase in tortuousity. The conductivities of the vulcanizates increased with increase in the dosage of MWCNT from 1 phr in NBCNT₁ to 7 phr in NBCNT₄ indicating the formation of percolating network of MWCNTs in the NBR/NR matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:956–963, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of carbon black loading on curing characteristics and mechanical properties of waste tyre dust/carbon black hybrid filler filled natural rubber compounds

Curing characteristics, tensile properties, fatigue life, swelling behavior, and morphology of waste tire dust (WTD)/carbon black (CB) hybrid filler filled natural rubber (NR) compounds were studied. The WTD/CB hybrid filler filled NR compounds were compounded at 30 phr hybrid filler loading with increasing partial replacement of CB at 0, 10, 15, 20, and 30 phr. The curing characteristics such as scorch time, t₂ and cure time, t₉₀ decreased and increased with increment of CB loading in hybrid filler (30 phr content), respectively. Whereas maximum torque (M_HR) and minimum torque (M_L) increased with increasing CB loading. The tensile properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, and tensile modulus of WTD/CB hybrid filler filled NR compounds showed steady increment as CB loading increased. The fatigue test showed that fatigue life increased with increment of CB loading. Rubber–filler interaction, Q_f/Q_g indicated that the NR compounds with the highest CB loading exhibited the highest rubber–filler interactions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of tensile and fatigue fractured surfaces and rubber–filler interaction study supported the observed result on tensile properties and fatigue life. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Modification In Situ of EPDM Filled with Carbon Black by Glycidyl Methacrylate

A method of chemical modification in situ of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) filled with carbon black was studied. A bifunctional monomer, glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), was used as the modifier to improve the dispersibility of carbon black in the rubber and to enhance the mechanical properties of EPDM vulcanizates. The effects of GMA on the structure and properties of EPDM vulcanizates such as determination of cross-linking density and vulcanizing properties as well as mechanical properties were investigated by FT-IR, SEM, and DMTA. The results showed the addition of GMA into carbon black filled EPDM compounds could remarkably improve the mechanical properties of the vulcanizates. The optimum content of GMA was about 5.0 phr when the content of carbon black was 50 phr. The reason for improvement of the mechanical properties might be attributed to the chemical combinations between rubber macromolecular chains and carbon black surfaces by GMA. The action of GMA was similar to a cocuring agent and a coupling agent.     

Curing characteristics,mechanical properties and morphology of butyl rubber filled with ground tire rubber (GTR)

The results on testing application of ground tire rubber (GTR), as potential filler for butyl rubber, are presented. The GTR content variation, within the range of 10–90 phr, was studied with respect to the vulcanization process, static mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation-at-break, hardness and resilience), dynamic mechanical properties and the morphology of the obtained vulcanizates. Butyl rubber was characterized by its low compatibility to other elastomers [i.e., natural rubber and styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR)—the main ingredients of tires] and low degree of unsaturation. To evaluate the impact of these factors on curing characteristics and mechanical properties of butyl rubber vulcanizates filled with GTR, the same compositions of SBR compounds, cured under identical conditions, were used as reference samples. Based on the obtained data, it can be stated that butyl rubber vulcanizates containing 30 phr of GTR as filler revealed the highest tensile strength and elongation-at-break. The microstructural analysis of a sample containing 30 phr of GTR revealed strong interactions between the butyl rubber matrix and GTR. This phenomenon resulted mainly from two factors. First, the cross-link density of the butyl rubber matrix was affected by its competition against GTR for cross-linking agents. Secondly, the migration of carbon black particles from GTR into the butyl rubber matrix had a significant impact on properties of the obtained vulcanizates.     

Application of rice husk ash as fillers in the natural rubber industry

Rice husk ash (RHA) obtained from agricultural waste, by using rice husk as a power source, is mainly composed of silica and carbon black. A two‐stage conventional mixing procedure was used to incorporate rice husk ash into natural rubber. For comparison purposes, two commercial reinforcing fillers, silica and carbon black, were also used. The effect of these fillers on cure characteristics and mechanical properties of natural rubber materials at various loadings, ranging from 0 to 40 phr, was investigated. The results indicated that RHA filler resulted in lower Mooney viscosity and shorter cure time of the natural rubber materials. The incorporation of RHA into natural rubber improved hardness but decreased tensile strength and tear strength. Other properties, such as Young's modulus and abrasion loss, show no significant change. However, RHA is characterized by a better resilience property than that of silica and carbon black. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that the dispersion of RHA filler in the rubber matrix is discontinuous, which in turn generates a weak structure compared with that of carbon black and silica. Overall results indicate that RHA can be used as a cheaper filler for natural rubber materials where improved mechanical properties are not critical. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 34–41, 2005     

Curing Characteristics,Fatigue and Hysteresis Behaviour of Feldspar Filled Natural Rubber Vulcanizates

Curing characteristics, fatigue, and hysteresis behaviour of feldspar filled SMR L vulcanizates and feldspar filled ENR 50 vulcanizates were studied. Two different types of natural rubber, SMR L and ENR 50 having 0 and 50 mol% of epoxide groups were used. The feldspar filled natural rubber vulcanizates were compared at similar filler loading which were used at 0, 10, 20, and 30 phr of filler loading. The curing characteristics such as scorch time (t ₂) and cure time (t ₉₀) slightly increased with increasing feldspar loading for both rubber vulcanizates. Besides t ₂ and t ₉₀, maximum torque (M _HR) significantly increased for both rubbers with increasing feldspar loading. The fatigue test showed that fatigue life decreased with increasing extension ratio, strain energy and filler loading. As the filler loading increased, the poor wetting of the feldspar by the rubber matrix gave rise to poor interfacial adhesion between filler and rubber matrix. Results also indicate that the vulcanizates with the highest feldspar loading exhibited the highest hysteresis. The feldspar filled SMR L vulcanizates showed higher fatigue life and lower hysteresis compare to feldspar filled ENR 50 vulcanizates.     

Reducing of heat loss of rubber compound using natural zeolite filler: effect of partially substitution of fillers on compound properties

The main objective of this work was reducing the heat loss of styrene butadiene rubber by partial substitution of carbon black with natural zeolite as a filler. Reducing the usage of carbon black in the rubber industry is a good strategy to decrease fossil fuel usage and global warming. There are different mineral fillers like silica and clay to be used instead of carbon black. Effect of application of natural zeolite on reducing the heat loss of rubber compound based on SBR was investigated by melt mixing of natural zeolite in rubber matrix in an internal mixer. Natural zeolite was selected as 5, 10, 15, and 20 phr. Carbon black was partially substituted with zeolite and the effect of natural zeolite content and structure on different aspects of the compound including heat buildup, hardness, elongation, and modulus were evaluated. It was shown that although cross-link density and mechanical properties of the compounds decreased a little, but a significant improvement was observed in the fatigue resistance of the compounds beside a favorable decrease in the heat buildup and abrasion loss with an increase in the natural zeolite loading. The rate of improvement in properties was slowed down at zeolite contents higher than 5 phr.