Blends of nitrile rubber and reclaimed rubber containing different levels of a
coupling agent, Si 69 (bis(3- triethoxysilyl propyl)(tetrasulphide) were prepared
and the cure characteristic's and mechanical properties were studied. Optimum
loading of Si-69 was found to be a function of blend ratio. 3 phi- of Si 69 in a
70:30. Blend was found to be the optimum combination with respect to the
mechanical properties. The rate and state of cure were also affected bv the
conp/ing agent. Tensile strength, tear strength and abrasion resistance were
improved in the presence of coupling agent. While the state of cure improved,
the cure rate and scorch time decreased with increasing silane content. Ageing
studies showed that the blends containing the coupling agent were inferior to
the unmodified blends.
The cure characteristics and mechanical properties of short nylon fiber- styrene
/whole tyre reclaim (SBR/WTR) composites with and without
an interfacial bonding agent based on 4,4 diphenyl methane diisocyanate and
polyethylene glycol (MDI/PEG) have been studied. An 80:40 blend of SBR/
WTR reinforced with 20 phr of short nylon fiber has been selected and the MDI/
PEG ratio has been changed from 0.67:1 to 2:1. The minimum and maximum
torques increased with isocyanate concentration. The scorch time and cure time
showed an initial reduction. The cure rate showed an initial improvement.
Tensile strength, tear strength and abrasion resistance increased with MDI/PEG
ratio, these values were higher in longitudinal direction. Resilience and
compression set increased with isocyanate concentration.
Blends of Acrylonitrile rubber with Maleic anhydride grafted Whole Tyre
Reclaim WTR (MA-g-WTR) have been prepared and the cure and mechanical
properties have been studied with respect to reclaim content. Control
compounds containing unmodified WTR were also prepared for comparison.
Grafting was confirmed by IR studies. Blends containing grafted WTR showed
higher minimum torque and (max-min) torque. They also showed longer cure
time, scorch time and lower cure rate. Grafting of the WTR with maleic
anhydride also resulted in the improved tensile strength, abrasion resistance,
compression set and resilience. However, the heat build up under dynamic
loading was marginally higher for the blends containing grafted reclaimed
rubber.
Mechanical properties and thermal degradation characteristics of natural rubber compounds
captaining coconut oil were compared with that of a control compound containing naphthenic oil.
Cure time was marginally lower in the case of coconut oil mixes, probably due to the presence of
free fatty acids. Tensile strength , tear strength, resilience and abrasion resistance were better than
the naphthenic oil-based compounds . Compression set and hardness were marginally inferior
The coconut oil mixes had a crosslink density comparable to that of the reference compound.
Thermal studies showed that the temperature of initiation of degradation was increased by 10°C
and the temperature at which the peak rate of degradation occured was increased by 7°C. The
peak rate of degradation was compa rable to the control compound.