Abstract
Abstract
Using a semi-efficient vulcanization system; a study was carried out on the utilization of alkanolamide as a curative additive in natural rubber (NR) compounds. The alkanolamide was incorporated into the unfilled-NR compound at 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 phr. The effect of alkanolamide on rheological and crosslink density properties of the NR compounds were observed. It was found that the addition of the alkanolamide exhibited shorter scorch and cure times and higher elongation at break of the NR compounds. The alkanolamide also exhibited higher torque differences and crosslink density of up to 0.6 phr of alkanolamide loading and then decreased with further increases in the alkanolamide loading.