Abstract
Abstract
A study was carried out on the utilization of alkanolamide as a new curative additive in natural rubber (NR) compounds by using a semi-efficient vulcanization system. The alkanolamide was derived from the waste of cooking oil and incorporated into the unfilled-NR compound at 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 phr. The effect of alkanolamide on swelling percentage, mechanical and morphological properties of the NR compounds were observed. It was found that the addition of the alkanolamide increased elongation at break of the NR compounds. The alkanolamide also increased tensile modulus, tensile strength, hardness and crosslink density of up to 0.6 phr of alkanolamide loading and then decreased with further increases in the alkanolamide loading. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs proved that 0.6 phr loading of alkanolamide in the NR compounds exhibited the greatest matrix tearing line and surface roughness which correlated to a higher tensile strength of the NR compounds.