The Addition of Imperata cylindrica as Natural Filler in Epoxidized Natural Rubber Filled Recycled Nitrile Glove: Cure Characteristics and Physical Properties

Abstract

The effects ofimperatacylindricaon curing characteristics and physical properties of epoxidized natural rubbers (ENR25) filled recycled nitrile glove (rNBR) were examined. The compounds were prepared by two roll mill at five different compositions ofimperatacylindrica(5, 15, 25, 35 and 45 phr). The size range ofimperatacylindricaparticles i.e., 0μm-63μm and 500μm-700μm were used. The result of cure characterization show that scorch time (t2) and cure time (t90) of the ENR25/rNBR decreased with the increased ofimperatacylindricacontent due to an insufficient amount of accelerator or curing agent and migration of sulphur from filler to the natural rubber. ENR25/rNBR with fine size, S1ofimperatacylindricaparticles exhibit lower minimum torque (ML) compared with the coarse size, S2which resulted in more efficient processing. The maximum torque (MH) of all ENR25/rNBR compounds show the increasing trend with increasedimperatacylindricacontent due to the good interactions betweenimperatacylindricaand ENR25/rNBR compounds. For physical properties, ENR25/rNBR compounds with fine size, S1ofimperatacylindricaparticles exhibited the higher crosslinking density at all compound ratios meanwhile coarse size, S2show highest hardness compared to fine size, S1. The results overall indicated that the ENR25/rNBR with fine size, S1ofimperatacylindricaparticles show better cure characteristics and physical properties (crosslink density and hardness test) compared to coarse size, S2ofimperatacylindricaparticles.