The properties of composites based on NR/CSM rubber blend and waste rubber powder

Abstract

The use of reclaiming scrap waste rubber is of great ecological interest due to its
significant influence to the environment. Powdered waste rubber (WRP) can be used as
a filler in mixtures with rubbers, thermoplastics, and as modifiers for asphalt. In this work
the composites based on natural rubber (NR) and chlorosufonated polyethylene (CSM)
filled with different content of WRP were prepared on a laboratory-size two-roll mixing
mill. The curing by sulfur was done at 160º C. The mechanical properties, namely tensile
strength, tensile modulus at 100% elongation, elongation at break and hardness have been
followed up as a function of irradiation dose (100; 200; 300; 400 kGy), as well as waste
rubber powder content (0; 20; 40; 60; 80; 100 phr). It was assessed that the addition of
20 phr waste rubber has improved the properties of obtained elastomeric materials. The
improvement of composites mechanical properties is in correlation with homogeneous
WRP distribution which has been assigned by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).