The Effect Of Nanosilica Filler On Curing Characteristics, Mechanical And Morphological Properties Of Standard Cambodian Natural Rubber Nanocomposites

• Main Author: Makara, Lay
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: TN1-997 Mining engineering. Metallurgy
• Online Access: http://eprints.usm.my/43563/1/Lay%20Makara24.pdf; http://eprints.usm.my/43563/

Nanosilica (NS) and maerogel, which are mesoporous light solid materials, low bulk density, low thermal conductivity, and high surface area with microstructure network consists of nano sized pore. NS was used as filler in Standard Cambodian Rubber (SCRL) nanocomposites. 3 phr of NS filler showed a shorter CRI with higher tensile strength and Elongation at break than maerogel filler. The addition of silane coupling agents; Bis[3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl] tetrasulfide (Si69) and (3-aminopropy)triethoxysilane (APTES) with 3 phr of NS reduced silanol group during mixing process as observed from FTIR spectrum. Its provided short cured time due to the presence of amine groups in APTES. The optimum loading of 1.5 phr of APTES and 3 phr of NS were carried out with different curing systems (CV and Semi-EV). Before ageing, CV system showed higher tensile strength with significant decrease in tensile strength after ageing compared to Semi-EV system. Semi-EV system exhibited shorter cured time and better thermal stability compared to CV system due to high amount of accelerator with stable crosslinking. The hybrid filler of NS/mica with 1.5 phr of APTES gave the enhancement on mechanical properties of SCRL composites than hybrid fillers of NS/CaCO3 and NS/china clay due to the nature ability of mica to enhance modulus and tensile strength of SCRL composites.