N.Z. Noriman

Recent Advances in Polyolefins/Natural Polymer Blends Used for Packaging Application

This article reviews the recent advances made in polyolefin and natural polymer blends used for packaging applications, with a focus on their degradation. Nondegradable polymers are now considered as a serious environmental problem, and they have become an enormous challenge to waste management. Hence, the degradable polymers are practical solutions to reduce the municipal solid waste (MSW) caused by the use of nondegradable polymers. These degradable options can be produced from three kinds of natural sources:- (1) polysaccharides—starch, cellulose, chitin and chitosan; (2) proteins—soya, wheat gluten, collagen/gelatine; and (3) speciality polymers—such as lignin, natural rubber. One major challenge to producing a degradable blend with the desired properties is merging the hydrophilic characteristics of natural polymers with the hydrophobic characteristics of polyolefin. The aim of this review is to offer a complete overview of polyolefin/natural polymer blends researched for packaging applications.

Natural Weathering Test of Styrene Butadiene Rubber and Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber (SBR/NBRr) Blends

The effect of recycled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBRr) content of SBR/NBRr blends on natural weathering was studied. Three different size of NBRr (S1; 117–334 µm, S2; 0.85–15.0 mm and S3; direct sheeted form) were used and the blends were exposed to natural weathering for 3 and 6 months. The results indicated that the SBR/NBRr blends with smallest size of NBRr (S1) show a better retention of tensile properties, which are able to withstand better weathering than coarser size (S2 and S3) of SBR/NBRr blends. The presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl and nitro group after exposure to natural weathering was detected in FTIR analysis, which related to the UV oxidation process of rubber blends. The scanning electron microscopy proved that the SBR/NBRr blends with smallest size of NBRr (S1) with higher content of NBRr, shows a better resistant to natural weathering.

Characterization of Linear Low Density Polyethylene/Rambutan Peels Flour Blends: Effect of Loading Content

The effect of rambutan peels flour (RPF) content on the tensile properties of linear low density polyethylene filled with rambutan peel flour was studied. RPF was melt blended with linear low–density polyethylene (LLDPE). LLDPE/RPF blends were prepared by using twin screw extruder at 150°C with the flour content ranged from 0 to 25 wt%. The tensile properties were tested by using a universal testing machine (UTM) according to ASTM D638. The highest tensile strength was pure LLDPE meanwhile the tensile strength LLDPE/RPF decreased gradually with the addition of rambutan peels flour. Young’s modulus of rambutan peels flour filled LLDPE increased with increasing fiber loading. The crystallinity of the blends was significantly reduced with increasing RPF content. Instead, the water absorption increased with the addition of RPF content.

Characterization and properties of low-linear-density polyethylene/Typha latifolia composites

ABSTRACT The characterization of the effects of different sizes and loadings of Typha latifolia on the tensile, thermal, and morphological properties of linear-low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)/T. latifolia composites were evaluated using tensile test, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy analyses. Results indicated the tensile strength and elongation at break decreased as T. latifolia loading increased. However, T. latifolia fine size (fs) exhibited better tensile properties than coarse size at the same loading in the composite. T. latifolia (15%, fs) recorded higher thermal stability than LLDPE control and other T. latifolia loadings and sizes due to the strong interaction of T. latifolia (15%, fs) in LLDPE matrix as shown in morphology.

Cure Characteristics, Tensile and Physical Properties of Recycled Natural Rubber Latex Glove (NRL-G) Filled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber

The use of recycled natural latex rubber glove (NRL-G) as a reinforced material filled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) was studied. The compounds of different NRL-G loading (0, 10, 20 and 30 phr) were prepared by using two roll mills at room temperature. Two different size ranges of NRL-G such as 300μm-700μm (fine) and 2cm-4cm (coarser) were used. The properties such as cure characteristics, tensile and physical properties were determined. The NBR/NRL-G compound with the fine size of NRL-G exhibits overall good cure characteristics and physical properties compared with coarser size. The addition of the of 20 phr content NRL-G (fine) contributed to the optimum tensile properties than coarser size.

Investigation of Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR 50) as a Compatibilizer on Cogon Grass Filled Low Density Polyethylene/Soya Spent Flour

Natural fiber reinforced composites are increasingly being used in various applications area. Therefore, the processing method and physical properties of these composites are very important parameters in product quality and quaranty. This paper focused on the tensile properties, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and water absorption of cogon grass (CG) with low density polyethylene (LDPE)/soya spent flour (SSF) composites. The tensile strength and elongation at break (Eb) of uncompatibilized CG with LDPE/ SSF decreased significantly with increasing of fiber content. However, the Young’s modulus increased with increasing of CG loading. The presence of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR 50) as a compatibilizer increased the tensile strength, Eb and Young’s modulus of the composites when compared to uncompatibilized composites. Fourier transform infrared results show distinguishable peaks for compatibilized and uncompatibilized composites. The water absorption for both uncompatibilized and compatibilized composites increased from day 1 until day 21. The presence of ENR 50 as compatibilizer showed lower water absorption percentage compared to uncompatibilized composites.

Effects of Recycled Silicone Catheter Filled Epoxidised Natural Rubber (ENR 50) on Tensile Properties and Morphology

The effect of recycled silicone catheter (rSC) on tensile properties (tensile strength, modulus at 100% elongation and elongation at break) and morphology of recycled silicone catheter filled epoxidised natural rubber (ENR 50/rSC) vulcanizates were studied in loading range of 0 to 50 phr with two different size; fine (300-600μm) and coarse (1-2 cm). For tensile properties, tensile strength, modulus at 100% elongation (M100) and elongation at break (EB) for both ENR 50/rSC fine and coarse vulcanizates show increment up to 15 phr but then decreased as the rSC content increased. Comparison between ENR 50/rSC fine and coarse vulcanizates indicates that ENR 50/rSC fine vulcanizates has better tensile properties than ENR 50/rSC coarse vulcanizates due to better dispersion and filler-rubber interaction as proven in morphological study. The results indicate that the morphology of ENR 50/rSC fine vulcanizate is better than that of ENR 50/rSC coarse vulcanizates in which fine rSC well bonded with ENR 50.

The Effects of Carbon Black and Calcium Carbonate as a Filler on Cure Characteristic and Physical Properties of SBR/CRr Blends

Filler are compounding ingredients added to a rubber compound for the purpose of iether reinforcing or cheapening the compound. Despite that, fillers can also be used to modify the physical properties of both unvulcanized and vulcanized rubbers. Typically filler materials include carbon black, calcium silicate, calcium carbonate and clay [. The mechanism of reinforcement of elastomers by fillers has been reviewed by several workers. They considered that the effect of filler is to increase the number of chains, which share the load of a broken polymer chain. It is known that in the case of filled vulcanizates, the efficiency of reinforcement depends on a complex interaction of several filler related parameters. They include particle size, particle shape, particle dispersion, surface area, surface reactivity, structure of the filler and the bonding quality between the filler and the rubber matrix [.

Physical and Morphological Properties of Styrene Butadiene Rubber/Recycled Chloroprene Rubber (SBR/CRr) Blends - The Effects of TOR as a Compatibilizer

Elastomer blends are widely used in rubber products for a variety of reasons, which include improved physical properties, improved service life, easier processing, and reduced production cost [. Butadiene and chloroprene (2-chloro-1,3 butadiene) are related monomers [. Blending of SBR with CR has been done to obtain better crystallisation resistance, better compression set resistance, lower brittleness temperature and enhanced resistance to sunlight deterioration as compared with CR alone. Other important properties, such as oil, heat, flame and ozone resistance, decrease as the amount of SBR increases [. It is possible to improve the phase morphology of SBR/CR blend by incorporating 5±10 phr of a modified copolymer that has segments chemically identical to SBR and CR phases. Addition of halocarbenes to polymers has been reported since a long time; however, available information on the commercial application on such modified polymers is limited [.

Slow Release Material from Epoxidized Natural Rubber and Rice Husk Composites for Agriculture Applications

This synthesis and characterization of slow release material from epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) and rice husks (RH) composites was conducted. The alkali modification of rice husks was carried using different NaOH concentration. ENR-50 and RH composites were analyzed by FTIR. Furthermore, the release behavior of the composites was invistigated using UV-visible spectroscopy. From the purified ENR-50, it can be characterized the peak epoxide group identified at 875 cm-1 and for the isoprene at 835 cm-1. For RH/urea beads, the CH2 peak of cellulose was obtained at 1457 cm-1. However, the CH2 is overlapped with cellulose at 1741 cm-1 and 1726 cm-1 that resulted for the partial opening of epoxide ring from carbonyl peak for hemi-cellulose and lignin, there are C=C stretching from aromatic group can be obtained at 1512 cm-1 and 1595 cm-1. The release of the composite at 7% NaOH concentration was higher than the composite at 1% NaOH concentration.