Development of biodegradable natural rubber latex composites by employing corn derivative bio-fillers |
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Authors: | Lokuvithana P. I. Jayathilaka Thilini U. Ariyadasa Shantha M. Egodage |
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Affiliation: | Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka |
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Abstract: | This study aims to investigate the viability of employing corn-based fillers (powdered corn grain [CG], corn flour [CF] and cornstarch [CS]) to improve the biodegradability of natural rubber latex (NRL) composites by varying filler loading from 0 to 50 phr. Notable variation in both physical and mechanical properties were observed for the different filler types, with CG-filled NRL demonstrating the better adhesion with NRL. Thus, CG-filled composites were selected for investigation of biodegradability. Increased CG loading in NRL compounds enhanced biodegradation; with over 70% degradation observed for 50 phr CG loading upon 15 weeks of soil burial. However, the trade-off between mechanical properties and biodegradability limits the CG loading in the NRL matrix to 20 phr for manufacturing NRL-based products. It was observed that NRL with CG filler loading of 20 phr conforms to the ASTM D3578 standard for manufacturing rubber gloves; with 50% biodegradation upon 15 weeks of soil burial. |
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Keywords: | biodegradable biopolymers and renewable polymers rubber |
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