Effect of particulate fillers on natural rubber/high-density polyethylene blends for roofing application

Abstract

Blending of two or more polymers generates a new material, which is more cost-effective than a newly synthesised material. Blending-type thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is produced by melt-mixing of a thermoplastic with a rubber. These blends have high demands associated with excellent property combinations of the parent materials. Particulate fillers are used in the rubber and plastic industry for property modification and cost reduction. In this work, six particulate fillers, namely, calcium carbonate, barium sulphate (BaSO4), kaolin, talc, Snobrite clay and dolomite were used to develop natural rubber (NR)/high-density polyethylene (HDPE) TPE blends, and the most suitable filler for roofing application was identified. A series of NR/HDPE 20/80 blends were prepared by varying filler loading from 10 phr to 30 phr at 10 phr intervals using a Plasticorder. Mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, hardness, impact strength and tear strength, and gel content of the blends were investigated. The addition of talc, dolomite and kaolin to NR/HDPE blend showed reduced impact strength, which is the most important property for a roofing application. The other three fillers showed improved impact strength at specific loadings. The blend with 30 phr of BaSO4 was identified as the best blend, as per the overall performance.

High-density thermoplastic vulcanizates based on LLDPE/NR for truck floor mats application

“…The tear strength of all samples were decreased with the increase in Bi 2 O 3 loading. According to Wickramaarachchi et al (2020), poor interaction between filler and matrix decreased the tear strength of composites.…”

Fabrication, characterization and mechanical properties of hematite (a-Fe2O3) filled natural rubber/low-density polyethylene composites

“…Teoh et al 42 have reported the improvement of tensile strength of NR/LDPE with the addition of silica into the blends. The effect of particulate fillers on natural rubber/high-density polyethylene blends for roofing application has been studied by Wickramaarachchi et al 43 They reported that six particulate fillers viz. calcium carbonate barium sulphate kaolin talc snobrite clay and dolomite were used to prepare natural rubber/high-density polyethylene blends to ascertain the most suitable filler for roofing application.…”