Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.83, No.11, 2331-2346, 2002
Mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of rice husk ash-filled natural rubber compounds
A laboratory-sized two-roll mill was used to incorporate rice husk ash into natural rubber (NR). A conventional vulcanization system was used for curing and cure studies were carried out on a Monsanto rheometer. Physical testing of the NR vulcanizates involved determining tensile and tear resistances and hardness. Swelling behavior of NR compounds and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the interaction between rice husk ash and natural rubber. Also, dynamical mechanical thermal analysis was used to assess filler-rubber interactions in terms of storage modulus (E) and loss tangent (tan 5). For comparison purposes, two commercial fillers, precipitated silica (Zeosil-175) and carbon black (N774), were also used.