Effect of Foaming Temperature and Blowing Agent Content on Cure Characteristics, Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Natural Rubber Foams

Abstract:

Influences of foaming temperature (i.e. 150 and 160^OC) and blowing agent content on cure characteristics, mechanical and morphological properties of natural rubber (NR) foams were investigated. The blowing agent used in this study was oxybis (benzene sulfonyl) hydrazide (OBSH). The expandable rubber samples were prepared using a conventional compression molding technique via a heat transfer foaming process and an air-circulating oven. For cure behavior, it was found that maximum torque and torque difference tended to decrease with increasing the OBSH content for both processing temperatures. Decreasing of cure time was observed at 3 phr of the OBSH content and then it tended to increase. Moreover, cure time and scorch time decreased with increasing foaming temperature. As a result, the NR foam with large cell size and non-uniform foam cell distribution was observed. Mechanical properties of the NR foam in a term of hardness gradually decreased upon increasing the OBSH content. Whilst compression set increased with increasing the OBSH content up to 6 phr after that it decreased.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 844)
• Pages: 454-457
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.844.454
• Online since: November 2013
• Authors: Worawan Pechurai*, Tatsanee Muansupan, Petcharat Seawlee
• Keywords: Blowing Agent, Foaming Temperature, Natural Rubber Foam, Oxybis (Benzene Sulfonyl) Hydrazide

References

[1] G. Lin, X.J. Zhang, L. Liu, J.C. Zhang, Q.M. Chen, L.Q. Zhang, Study on microstructure and mechanical properties relationship of short fiber/rubber foam composites, Eur. Polym. 40 (2004) 1733-1742.

DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2004.04.016

[2] Z. Zakaria, Z.M. Ariff, T.L. Hwa, C.S. Sipaut, Effect of foaming temperature on morphology and compressive properties of ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) foam, Malay. Polymer 2 (2007) 22-30.

[3] N.N. Najib, Z.M. Ariff, N.A. Manan, A.A. Bakar, C.S. Sipaut, Effect of blowing agent concentration on cell morphology and impact properties of natural rubber foam, J. Phy. Sci. 20 (2009) 13-25.

[4] W. Strauss, N.A. D'Souza, Supercritical CO2 processed polystyrene nanocomposites foams, J. Cell. Plast. 40 (2004) 229-241.

[5] W. Yamsaengsung, N. Sombatsompop, Effect of chemical blowing agent on cell structure and mechanical properties of EPDM foam, and peel strength and thermal conductivity of wood/NR composite–EPDM foam laminates, Composites: Part B. 40 (2009).

DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2009.04.003