Nabil Hayeemasae

Thermo-Mechanical Performance of Natural Rubber/Recycled Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Rubber Blends in the Presence of ZnO Nanoparticles

In the present study, recycled ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (R-EPDM) was used in an attempt to create a value-added natural rubber (NR) material based on NR/R-EPDM blends. ZnO nanoparticles were also incorporated in a way to replace the conventional ZnO together with special attention to improve the thermo-mechanical performance of the blends. Polyhedral and spherical shapes of ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized, and they were found to have no impurities, with a dimension ranging from 10 to 40 nm. ZnO nanoparticles not only act as a curing activator but also improve the thermal stability and dynamic mechanical properties of the blends.

Effect of Carbon Black on the Properties of Polypropylene/ Recycled Natural Rubber Glove Blends

In the present study, recycled natural rubber glove (rNRg) were used in an attempt to create a value-added thermoplastic elastomer material based on polypropylene/recycled natural rubber glove blends. Carbon black (CB) was also incorporated in a way to improve the mechanical properties to the blends. The blends were prepared in an internal mixer where the effects of CB loadings on processability, tensile properties, morphology and thermal stability of the blends were investigated. Results showed that the stabilization torque comparatively increases with the increment of the CB loading. Adding CB also improves the tensile strength and thermal stability to the blends. This is attributed to the better filler-matrix interaction and filler dispersion observed upon the incorporation of CB.

Compatibilized Natural Rubber/recycled Ethylene-propylene-diene Rubber Blends by Biocompatibilizer

ABSTRACT Biocompatibilizer-based refined, bleached, deodorized palm stearin was successfully used as compatibilizer for natural rubber/recycled ethylene–propylene–diene rubber (NR/R-EPDM) blends. It seems effective in improving the state of cure, tensile properties, as well as the swelling resistance and morphology of the blends, indicating an improvement in compatibility between the NR matrix and R-EPDM rendered by biocompatibilizer. This was clearly verified by the dynamic mechanical properties of the blends. The dynamic responses obtained were clearly corresponding to the swelling result. It proves that the cross-link density plays a major role in the changes of storage modulus and degree of entanglement.

Effect of ZnO Nanoparticles on the Simultaneous Improvement in Curing and Mechanical Properties of NR/ Recycled EPDM Blends

Recycling of rubber waste and searching for alternative routes to decreasing the loading of ZnO are of significant concern due to their input on environmental aspect. In this respect, recycled ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) rubber has been used in an attempt to create a value-added rubber material based on natural rubber/recycled EPDM blends. ZnO nanoparticles were also incorporated as a way to replace the conventional ZnO together with the aim of improving the curing and mechanical properties of the blends. Spherical and elongated shapes of ZnO nanoparticles were synthesised by a homogeneous precipitation method and were then characterised by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-Ray diffraction analysis. Synthesised ZnO nanoparticles were found to have no impurities and had a dimension ranging from 10–40 nm. The study confirmed that ZnO nanoparticles showed a better state of curing and higher maximum torque with a significant decrease in optimum curing time and scorching time. It was also observed that a low content of ZnO nanoparticles was sufficient to give higher mechanical properties compared to one containing a higher content of conventional ZnO.

Poly(Vinyl Chloride)/Epoxidized Natural Rubber/Kenaf Powder Composites: Preparation and Properties

Abstract This chapter discusses the preparation and properties of poly(vinyl chloride)/epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)/kenaf powder composites. The effects of maleic anhydride compatibilizers (PE-g-MA and PVC-g-MA), dynamic vulcanization, and sodium dodecyl sulfate filler treatment on the tensile properties, thermooxidative ageing properties, and thermal stability were reported. All three methods exhibited a positive effect on properties of poly (vinyl chloride)/ENR/kenaf powder composites where the most outstanding results were obtained with maleic anhydride compatibilizers.

Curing and swelling kinetics of new magnetorheological elastomer based on natural rubber/waste natural rubber gloves composites

This article proposes a new type of magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) based on natural rubber (NR) and waste natural rubber gloves (wNRg) blends. The material properties of the MRE samples were investigated with specific focus on the curing and swelling kinetics. Two different series were prepared; the first used carbonyl iron (CI) as the single filler in the MRE, whereas the second hybridized CI with carbon black (CB) to prepare an MRE resistant to solvents. The results show that most properties depend strongly on the nature of both fillers. The higher thermal conductivity of the CI caused a substantial decrease in both the scorch and curing times and the activation energy in the curing process. Based on the diffusion study, a higher volume of fillers in the rubber composites resulted in a greater area of blockage and restricted the penetration of the solvent tested throughout the composites, irrespective of whether CI alone or in combination with CB was used in the composites.