THE USE OF RECYCLED NATURAL RUBBER POWDER AS FILLER IN NATURAL RUBBER COMPOUNDING.

Abstract

The use of recycled rubber powder (RRP) in different ratios with carbon black (CB) in compounding natural rubber was investigated in this work. Natural rubber (NR), recycled rubber powder, carbon black and the compounding ingredients were compounded using the two roll mill and the mechanical properties of the blends were analyzed. Six samples A-F were formulated; sample A (0%RRP, 30%CB) sample B (1.5%RRP, 28.5%CB) sample C (4.5%RRP, 25.5%CB), sample D (7.5%RRP, 22.5%CB), sample E (10.5%RRP, 19.5%CB), sample F (13.5%RRP, 16.5%CB). The mechanical properties of most of the vulcanizates decreased with increased recycled rubber powder loading. The hardness values decreased from 19.77 Shore A to 17.63 Shore A from sample A to F, the values of elongation at break from 167.50% to 144.63% from sample A to F and the abrasion resistance from 99.9% to 99.6% from sample A to F. However, the ultimate tensile strength showed improved values i.e 5.70Mpa to 15.30Mpa from sample A to E, with higher rubber powder loading. The fatigue and abrasion resistances increased with increasing RRP loading. It was generally observed that recycled rubber powder holds strong potential in rubber compounding technology as an additive.