Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Filled Natural Rubber Compounds: Effects of Filler Loading and Types of Matrix

Abstract

Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET) was utilized as a filler in natural rubber (SMR L) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 50) compounds. Results indicated that the maximum torque, scorch, and cure time of SMR L compounds increased with increasing R-PET loading, whereas ENR 50 compounds showed the decreasing trend in scorch and cure time. Increment in R-PET increased crosslink density and tensile modulus of both natural rubber compounds. Tensile strength, elongation at break, and fatigue life of both natural rubber compounds showed the decreased trend with increasing R-PET loading but ENR 50 showed the lower values than SMR L compounds. The thermal degradation was shifted to a higher temperature and the micrographs exhibited the detachment of R-PET and more agglomeration with increasing R-PET loading in both natural rubber compounds.