Mechanical Properties of Rubber Mat Compound via Two Factors Modelling Using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract:

Mechanical properties of an industrial based rubber mat compound were optimized via response surface methodology (RSM). Interaction between two factors: accelerators (0.04-3.50 phr) and fillers (0-18.29 phr) were investigated using a full factorial design. The accelerators consisted of a combination of mercaptobenzothiazole disulphide (MBTS) as the primary accelerator, and diphenyl guanidine (DPG) and Zn-2-mercaptobenzo thiazole (ZMBT) as the secondary accelerators. Meanwhile, silane functionalized hybrid precipitated silica/calcined clay (f-PSi/ClCy) was used as the fillers. Regression models for optimum mechanical properties against the accelerator and filler factors were generated by Design Expert software. It was recommended that the level of accelerators and fillers at 1.77 phr and 0.65 phr as the optimum parameter to achieve tensile strength of ~14 MPa and ~2 N/mm, respectively. Further, a comparison between the recommended formulation and the original rubber mat formulation affirmed that the mechanical properties via statistical design were in good agreement with the experimental results with deviations of only + 8.8 % and 0 % for tensile strength and tear strength respectively.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 761)
• Pages: 358-363
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.761.358
• Online since: May 2015
• Authors: Qumrul Ahsan*, Noraiham Mohamad, Tiak Chuan Soh
• Keywords: Mechanical Property, Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Rubber Accelerators, Rubber Fillers

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