Bone Meal Waste and Ca(HPO4)2 as Reinforcing Filler for NR and CR and their Blends Compared with Conventional White Filler

Abstract

The reinforcement of rubber by fillers is of great practical and technical importance. Bone meal waste and Ca(HPO4)2, were evaluated as reinforcing fillers for natural, chloroprene rubber and their blend comparing them with white conventional filler, CaCO3. It was clearly seen that, the properties of the recommended rubber were dependent on the type as well as the concentrations of the investigated fillers. The rheological properties of rubber mixes containing bone meal and Ca(HPO4)2 were improved and the behaviour of the mixes looks like those containing CaCO3. Also, the physico-mechanical properties as tensile strength and modulus at 100% strain increased by increasing the investigated filler contents in the vulcanisates. The scanning electron microscope illustrates a high degree of surface homogeneity and good dispersion of the particulate fillers encased within the rubber matrix.