Rubber Foam Processing via Bubbling Technique

Abstract

Natural rubber foams are currently produced by the two well-known processes of Dunlop and Talalay. Dunlop process, however, requires a high-speed Hobart Mixer to generate a high bubble-volume, while Talalay is complexity and expensive technique. Here, a simple and inexpensive technique for rubber foam production was introduced. The process involved air flowing with a constant flow rate through a porous diffuser, firmly connected to the bubble column containing compound latex, to generate a high bubble-volume. Microstructure of the as-produced rubber foams was examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), in comparison with that of the purchased Dunlop foam. Spherical cell shape with a uniform interconnected-cell structure was gained from the bubbled foams, while fractured-cell structure was obtained from the Dunlop foam.