Effect of Latex Treatment on Properties of WNRL/PS Blends

Abstract

The waste natural rubber latex was treated with natural rubber latex (TWNRL) prior to blend with polystyrene (PS). The blend was conducted with the ratio of 30/70, 50/50 and 70/30 TWNRL/PS using Haake internal mixer at 140 °C and 60 rpm. The waste natural rubber latex/PS (WNRL/PS) was prepared in the similar procedure. The complex modulus (E*) at various temperature and tensile properties were investigate. The tensile fracture surface was observed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results show that the E* of WNRL/PS blends are higher at any temperature compared to TWNRL/PS blend for similar compositiondue to higher network molecules. At 30/70 blends show the tensile strength, Young’s modulus and elongation at break of TWNRL/PS are higher than WNRL/PS blend due to a better molecule entanglement. Improvement of elongation at break was shown for70/30 TWNRL/PS blend, because of the rearrangement of molecule chains under stress. The SEM observation show the successful improvement of blend morphologies by latex treatment at all composition. Moreover, the SEM micrograph also imply the fracture behavior; more tendril on fracture surface indicating the higher strain needed before failure.