The effect of mastication time on the physical properties and structure of natural rubber

Abstract

The effect of mastication time in an internal mixer on the physical properties and microstructure of natural rubber (NR) was studied. The Mooney viscosity, plasticity, and complex viscosity reduced with increases in the mastication time due to the molecular breakdown of the rubber. The microstructural changes in the NR were studied using small-angle X-ray scattering. The results revealed that a reduction in the physical properties correlated with the structural changes, which occurred due to mastication. Increases in mastication time affected the distribution and size of the nonrubber component aggregations and the uniformity of the molecular structure of the NR.