Maleated Natural Rubber as a Coupling Agent for Sawdust Powder Filled Natural Rubber Composites

Abstract

Sawdust powder filled natural rubber composites were prepared by incorporation of different loadings (20100 phr) of sawdust powder fillers. Two series of composites were studied, i.e. composites with and without maleic anhydride grafted natural rubber (NRgMAH). Grafting of maleic anhydride onto the natural rubber was done prior to compounding using an internal mixer at 145°C. The curing characteristics, hardness property and tensile properties of the composites were studied. Results indicate that the scorch time and cure time decrease with increasing filler loading whereas the maximum torque exhibit an increasing trend. Increasing sawdust powder content also increases the tensile modulus and shows superior hardness property over than 80 shore A, but the tensile strength and elongation at break decrease. As the filler loading increases, the rubberfiller interactions of the composites decrease. The interfacial interaction of sawdust powder filler and natural rubber matrix was enhanced by the addition of NRgMAH, as exhibited by the fracture surfaces of the composites using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and rubberfiller interaction studies. The presence of NRgMAH has prolonged the curing time and scorch time and enhanced the tensile properties.

Effects of Maleated Natural Rubber on Mechanical Properties of Polylactic Acid/Natural Rubber Blends

“…These observations is due to the formation of good interaction between the NR-g-MA and both NR and PLA matrix. Stronger adhesion of the fiber and matrix interface caused better stress transfer from the matrix into the fibres, leading to a higher tensile strength [10]. For elongation at break, PLA/NR incorporated with compatibilizer blend showed better effect than virgin PLA/NR.…”

A Review on Surface Modification of Plant Fibers for Enhancing Properties of Biocomposites

“…The treatment procedure can be complex, potentially including harmful constituents, and may have constraints such as surface sensitivity and compatibility with various fiber types. [137,152,153]…”

“…However, they can also reduce moisture intake, which affects dimensional stability and weather resilience of biocomposite. The treatment procedure can be complex, potentially including harmful constituents, and may have constraints such as surface sensitivity and compatibility with various fiber types [137,152,153] …”

A Review of Rubber Biocomposites Reinforced with Lignocellulosic Fillers

“…As shown in Figure 7, MNR can form a hydrogen bond with the hydroxyl groups of cellulose, thus improving interfacial adhesion and composite mechanical properties. Some work used MNR as a compatibilizer for NF/NR composites and reported mechanical property improvements using this compatibilizing strategy [30,[81][82][83][84]. Zeng et al [27] observed that the tensile strength of NR composite with 10 phr MNR at 10 phr cotton fiber was 11% higher than that without MNR.…”