Evaluation of vibration damping behavior of different sizes of waste tyre rubber in natural rubber composites

Abstract

The different sizes of waste tyre rubber particles and precipitated silica-filled natural rubber composites were investigated to evaluate the vibration damping behavior of the waste tyre rubber filled rubber composites. In this work, waste tyre rubber particles prepared in three different sizes (100–250, 550–700, and 1000–1150 µm) using ambient grinding process. Then the particles blended with natural rubber and silica compounds, and the blend was synthesized by two roll mill and hydraulic press vulcanization. The various proportions of prepared samples in all sizes were characterized in respect of their vibration damping behavior. The results indicated that large size of waste tyre rubber-filled natural rubber composites showed excellent vibration damping performance compared with other sizes used and were evaluated by both direct and indirect methods. Differential scanning calorimeter study showed that, use of large waste tyre rubber provided more energy absorption than other sizes used which led to increase the damping characterization. Owing to excellent damping performance, large waste tyre rubber-filled natural rubber composites accurately used in the applications where vibration damping is considered as important design criterion.