Design and development of engineering component using natural rubber biocomposites

The potential usage of natural rubber biocomposites in engineering products was investigated. The engineering product fabricated is a rubber bush which is widely used in the automobile industry. Three different types of rubber: 25 % mol epoxidised natural rubber, 50 % mol epoxidised natural rubber and deproteinised natural rubber reinforced with eggshell powder and oil palm fibres hybrid biofillers were studied. The mould flow simulation was carried out to study the flow of the rubber in an existing mould cavity. A thermogravimetric analysis was carried out on both the eggshell powder and oil palm fibres and it was observed that the eggshell powder is more stable thermally compared to the oil palm fibres. Static test was conducted to study the static stiffness properties. Dynamic test was also conducted to study the dynamic stiffness and the loss angle. The results of the tests showed promising mechanical properties of the 25 % mol epoxidised natural rubber biocomposites. Further research should be conducted on other biofillers that is capable of improving the properties of the rubber to replace the use of carbon black in the 25 % mol epoxidised natural rubber biocomposite.