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Polymers and Polymer Composites

WOOD SAWDUST FIBRES AS A SECONDARY FILLER IN CARBON BLACK FILLED NR VULCANIZATES

April 1, 2006 By: Sombatsompop N; Kantala C; Wimolmala E Research article

Title: WOOD SAWDUST FIBRES AS A SECONDARY FILLER IN CARBON BLACK FILLED NR VULCANIZATES
Page Range: p.331-347
Author(s): Sombatsompop N; Kantala C; Wimolmala E
File size: 314K
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Journal: Polymers and Polymer Composites
Issue Year: ppc
Volume: 14
Issue No: No. 4

Abstract
An investigation is reported which aims to identify the optimum contents of wood sawdust fibre and silane coupling agent to be introduced into natural rubber compounded with carbon black. A range of composite properties are considered including cure characteristics, % bound rubber, crosslink density, sorption and desorption behaviour, tensile modulus, elongation at break, tensile and tear strengths, hardness and morphological properties. Results indicated that the overall mechanical properties of the NR composite improved with increasing carbon black content, but deteriorated with a sawdust content up to 40 phr. Addition of further sawdust was recommended as an economical benefit to industries as the properties of the natural rubber/carbon black composites remained unchanged with increasing sawdust content above 40 phr sawdust fibre. Addition of a silane coupling agent to the NR vulcanisates containing 40 phr wood sawdust fibres and 45 phr carbon black at 0.5 – 1% of wood sawdust, was shown to improve the mechanical properties. It is claimed that the explanations given in this paper are unique in that they refer to bound rubber, crosslink density and rubber-filler phase continuity in the composites and to a change in composite rigidity. 37 refs.

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