The Cure Characteristics and Mechanical Behaviour of Bamboo Fibre Filled Natural Rubber Composite

Abstract:

For decades, carbon black is the most preferred reinforcing filler in rubber industry especially in tyre manufacturing. Carbon black which originated from crude oil is a non renewable source that may diminish over time. Therefore, an alternative from natural source is needed to replace carbon black as the reinforcing agent in rubber industries without so much affecting the physical and mechanical properties of the final products. Since bamboo is an abundant natural source in Malaysia and proved to be one of the strongest natural fibres comparable to other building materials like steel, concrete, and timber that have been subjected to lot of studies, bamboo seems to be the best alternative to replace carbon black in reinforcing rubber. Bamboo chips were first treated using alkalinisation method and dried before ground to 180-250μm to improve the interfacial adhesion with the rubber matrix. The bamboo fibres were then incorporated into rubber through compounding process at different loading. The cure characteristics of the composites were determined at 150oC using rheometer. The curing times were then used to vulcanise the rubber compounds using a hot press. The mechanical behaviour of the bamboo fibre filled natural rubber composite like tensile strength, elongation at break, and hardness are then evaluated by taking the optimum loading of carbon black as the comparison. The strength of the composite were decreased and become harder as the fibre loading were increased. The weak adhesion of fibres to rubber matrix and uneven particle size distribution of fibres contribute to the fracture of the composites. These can be observed through the surface morphological analysis of the composite by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 812)
• Pages: 53-59
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.812.53
• Online since: September 2013
• Authors: Salim Abdul Salim Zainathul Akhmar, Mohd Zaini Nurul Aizan, Ahmad Mohd Muhiddin, Jamil Siti Sarah, Zainuddin Nor Hazwani
• Keywords: Bamboo Fibre, Carbon Black (CB), Curing Characteristic, Mechanical Behaviour, Natural Rubber (NR)

References

[1] V.G Geethamma, G. Kalaprasad, B. Groeninkx, S. Thomas, Dynamic mechanical behaviour of short coir fibre reinforced natural rubber composites, Composites (2005) 1499-1506.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2005.03.004

[2] S. Kanking, P. Niltui, E. Wimolmala, N. Sombatsompop, Use of bagasse fiber ash as secondary filler in silica or carbon black filled natural rubber compound, Materials and Design (2012) 74-82.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2012.04.042

[3] H. Ismail, Bamboo fibre filled natural rubber composites: the effects of filler loading and bonding agent, Polymer testing (2002) 139-144.

DOI: 10.1016/s0142-9418(01)00060-5

[4] L. He, Z. Guoying, Z. Huaiyun, L. Yadi and L. Wenjin, Study on the pretreatment of the preparation of bamboo fibre and its bleaching technology, Advanced Material Research (2001) 242-247.

[5] R. Wahab, T. Mustapa and H. W. Samsi, Bending and compression strength of preservatives treated bamboo 'Gigantocholoa Scortechinii' gamble (2004) 1-12.

[6] M. M. Rahman, M. H., Performance Evaluation of Bamboo Reinforced Concrete Beam, Internasional Journal of Engineering & Technology (2011) 142-146.

[7] M. A. Anang, F. Eduful, S. K. Tulashie, K. O. Boadu and A. Wofesor, Evaluation of the strength of concrete slabs using bamboo-mesh in place of iron rod mesh with palm-kernel shells as additives, Der Chemica Sinica, (2012) 364-372.

[8] C. Grisha., S. Sanjeevamurthy, G. Srivinas, Effect of alkali treatment, fibre loading and hybridization on tensile properties of sisal fibre, banana empty fruit bunch fibre and bamboo fibre reinforced thermoset composites, International Journal of Engineering Science and Advanced Technology (2012) 706-711.

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.576.280

[9] A. Samsuri, An Introduction to Polymer Science and Rubber Technology, University Publication Centre (UPENA) UiTM (2009).

[10] P. A. Egwaikhide, E.E. Akporhonor and F. E. Okieimen, Effect of coconut fibre filler on the cure characteristics, physio-mechanical and swelling properties of natural rubber vulcanisates, International Jurnal of Physical Sciences (2007) 039-046.

[11] A. Mujkanovic, Non black fillers for elastomers, 13th Intenational Research/Expert Conference, Hammamet, Tunisia (2009) pp.865-868.

[12] A. Mohamed, W. R. Wan Abd Kadir, R. Halis and N. M H Abdullah, Early performance trial of four Malaysia commercial bamboo in Southern Peninsular Malaysia. Borneo Sciences (2009) 81-86.

[13] N. Defoirdt, S. Biswas, L. D. Vriese, L. Q. N. Tran, J. V. Acker, Q. Ahsan, L. Gorbatikh, A. V. Vuure, I. Verpoest. Assessment of the tensile properties of coir, bamboo and jute fibre, Composites (2010) 588-595.

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2010.01.005

[14] S. Bhalla, S Gupta, P Sudhakar, R Suresh, Bamboo as green alternative to concrete and steel for modern structures, International Congress of Environmental Research (2008) 1-10.