Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Sulfur-Cured Natural Rubber/Polyethylene/Epoxidized Natural Rubber Blends

Abstract:

The polymer blend was prepared from natural rubber (NR) and polyethylene (PE) powder blended with epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) by using an internal mixer. In this study, epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) was used as compatibilizer for the blends. Blending ENR with PE powder and NR were prepared at various compositions from 0-20% by weight. Then, specimens from the blends were produced by compression molding at 150 °C. The mechanical and morphological properties of the composites were investigated. It was found that the addition of ENR content has improved the tensile strength, compression set and hardness for the ternary compositions composed of NR/PE powder/ENR compared to the binary one (i.e. NR/PE powder). ENR contributed to a better dispersion between the NR and PE phases as observed in the scanning electron microscopy.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 757)
• Pages: 14-18
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.757.14
• Online since: October 2017
• Authors: Kritsada Phatcharasit*, Wirach Taweepreda, Patompong Phummor
• Keywords: Epoxidized Natural Rubber, Polyethylene, Thermoplastic

References

[1] S.J. Hazwani, H. Ismail, A.R. Azura, ENR-50 Compatibilized Natural Rubber/Recycled Acrylonitrile-Butadiene Rubber Blends, Sains Malaysiana. 44 (2015) 835-842.

DOI: 10.17576/jsm-2015-4406-09

[2] P. Manisara, L. Sawanya, Influence of Poly(vinyl chloride) on Natural Rubber/Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene Blends, Open Journal of Organic Polymer Materials. 3 (2013) 81-86.

DOI: 10.4236/ojopm.2013.34013

[3] I.M. Alwaan, A. Hassan, M. Jawaid, Effect of Natural Rubber/Epoxidized Natural Rubber (90/10) on Mechanical and Thermal properties of Linear Low Density Polyethylene, J. Polym. Mater. 30 (2013) 117-130.

DOI: 10.1177/096739111502300708

[4] K. Pongtanayut, C. Thongpina, O. Santawitee, The Effect of Rubber on Morphology, Thermal Properties and Mechanical Properties of PLA/NR and PLA/ENR Blends, Energy Procedia. 34 (2013) 888-897.

DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2013.06.826

[5] M. Bijarimi, A. Sahrim, R. Rozaidi, Mechanical, Thermal and Morphological Properties of Poly(lactic acid)/Epoxidized Natural Rubber Blends, J. Elastomers Plast. 46 (2014) 338–354.

DOI: 10.1177/0095244312468442

[6] M. A Nawawi, S. Lai Har, C. C Han, Miscibility of Polymer Blends Comprising Poly (Ethylene Oxide)-Epoxidized Natural Rubber, International Journal of Chemical Engineering and Applications. 3 (2012) 410-412.

DOI: 10.7763/ijcea.2012.v3.230