Curing Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Hybrid Palm Ash/Silica/Natural Rubber Composites

Abstract

Hybrid palm ash/silica/natural rubber composites were prepared using a laboratory-sized two roll mill. The effects of partial replacement of palm ash by silica on curing characteristics, mechanical properties, and morphology of hybrid palm ash/silica/natural rubber composites were investigated. Compared to the control composite (30 phr of palm ash), increasing the silica in the weight ratio of silica/palm ash increases the scorch time and cure time, the maximum and minimum torques, and enhances the rubber—filler interaction, tensile strength, tensile modulus, and fatigue life. However the incorporation of palm ash also exhibits the beneficial effects by shorter curing time of hybrid palm ash/silica/natural rubber composites.