OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the project are:

 To identify additives which results in stronger, stiffer and more rigid natural
rubber (NR) vulcanizate
 To prepare NR vulcanizate with a good balance of heat resistance and fatigue
performance

INTRODUCTION

Natural rubber (NR) is one of polymer type which obtained from sap of tree
especially Hevea brasiliensis to produce variety of product for instance tires, car
components and footwear. However, the raw rubber is not used directly to get the final
product. The rubber has to be formulated before processing as rubber compresses
both viscous and elastic properties. There are a few steps involved to process raw
rubber into a product. The basic flow can be referred in Figure 1.

Raw Rubber

Mastication

Rubber
compounding

Vulcanization

Vulcanized
rubber

Testing
Figure 1 Steps taken for NR product

The raw rubber will undergo mastication process to reduce molecular weight
and improve NR processability. This is a crucial step as NR naturally have high
molecular weight. If the rubber and chemical do not completely distributed and
dispersed, this will affect the next step for example shaping and curing process thus
affect the properties of the end product. The common rubber mixing tools are two-roll
mill and internal mixer. For laboratory scale, two roll mill is more preferred. The
additives are then added into the gap followed by processing oil or plasticizer then
filler. Within the compounding process, the rubber should be cut from one side of the
mill because the rubber need to be cross blended.

NR indicate high strength as well as outstanding fatigue resistance but it can

simply attack by light, heat and ozone. Therefore, additives are added in compounding
process which can be processing aids, vulcanizing agent, activator, accelerator, filler,
softener and anti-degradant to improve stiffness, strength and rigidity.

Vulcanization is the connecting or bonding rubber chains with chemical bonds

action. The vulcanization system can be categorized into two types which is sulphur
and peroxide. In sulfur vulcanization, activator and accelerator are required. The
categories for sulphur vulcanization system are conventional, semi-efficient and
efficient. Each of the system provide different properties in term of mechanical,
physical and chemical properties. Additionally, sulphur is the suitable vulcanizing
agent for unsaturated rubber such as EPDM(Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer),
NR, IR(Isoprene Rubber), IIR(Isobutyl Isoprene Rubber), SBR(Styrene butadiene
rubber), BR(butadiene rubber) and NBR(Nitrile Butadiene Rubber). For a good
balance of heat resistance and fatigue performance, some adjustment in sulphur
vulcanization system can be conducted.

The type of test to be performed are dependent to the type of application or

objectives to be achieved. The test involved can be tensile strength, tear resistance,
abrasion resistance, hardness and heat resistance. Tests are carried out whether on
cured samples or on actual product under condition by referring to standard that are
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Material), ISO (International Standard for
Organization) and DIN (German Institute for Standardization)
PROCEDURE

DISCUSSION

By referring to the objective, as the NR vulcanized need to be stronger, stiffer

and more rigid, the suitable additives which meet the targeted properties are filler,
processing aids and anti-degradants. Filler works in increasing hardness, stiffness and
abrasion resistance while processing aids act to improve mixing/compounding
especially filler. The addition of anti-degradant help to prevent degradation.
Table 1 represents the type of filler with their properties. Reinforcing filler with
particle size lesser than 100 nm provides strong and stiff rubber. For semi-reinforcing
filler, the particle size is between 1000 nm and 5000 nm has lower strength than
reinforcing filler therefore it is required to be used in a large amount. Non-reinforcing
filler weaken the rubber as the particle size is larger than 5000 nm. The chosen filler
is reinforcing filler which can be carbon black or silica. The usage of carbon black does
not require coupling agent because carbon black and NR are hydrophobic and the
loading range is between 40-60 phr(Hashim & Ismail, 1998).
Table 1 Types of filler, Particle Size and Properties
Type Reinforcing filler Semi- Non-reinforcing
reinforcing filler
Particle Size

<100 nm 1000 nm – 5000 >5000 nm

nm
Properties Strong and stiff rubber Lower strength Weaken the rubber
than reinforcing
filler. Thus,
require in a large
amount.
CONCLUSION

To conclude,

 in order to have a stronger, stiffer and more rigid NR vulcanizate, the selected
additives are filler, processing aid and anti-degradant.
 to have a good balance of heat resistance and fatigue performance, the opted
vulcanization system is semi-efficient with sulphur and accelerator. For
activator, zinc oxide and stearic acid was chosen.

Function Additives Loading (phr)

Filler Carbon Black 50.0

Processing aids Processing oil 5.0

Anti-degradant 6PPD 1.0

Vulcanizing Sulphur 2.5

agent

Accelerator CBS 1.5

Activator Zinc Oxide 5.0

Activator Stearic Acid 1.0

REFERENCE

Hashim, A. S., & Ismail, H. (1998). Pengenalan Penyebatian dan Pemprosesan Getah.
Pulau Pinang,Malaysia: Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Adhihetty, W. K. (2008). Rheology, Cure Characteristic and Mechanical Properties of Carbon

Black filled Low Grade Natural Rubber Composite. A thesis of Polymer Science and
Technology (master’s thesis). University of Sri Jayewardernapura, Sri Lanka.