Mechanical, thermal and adhesion characteristics of natural rubber/epoxidised natural rubber (NR/ENR 25) blends containing natural microbentonite

Abstract

Blending of natural rubber (NR) with epoxidised natural rubber (ENR 25) improved engineering characteristics of the blends, especially on their toughness, resistant to mineral oil, as well as their adhesion on hydrophilic surfaces, such as metals and concretes. Addition of natural microbentonite was expected not only to improve the blend's compatibility, but also to enhance their thermal characteristics and adhesion properties on hydrophilic surfaces. In this works Indonesian natural rubbers (SIR-10) have been blended with epoxidised natural rubber (ENR-25) in a reflux rector in xylene solution with addition of various loading of natural microbentonite as fillers. Mechanical properties of the blends were characterized using tensile tests (tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young's modulus), whereas their thermal properties were measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Furthermore, to estimate their adhesion properties on hydrophilic surfaces, the blends were immersed in water, and their water uptake were measured gravimetrically, as well as changes on their mechanical properties. It was found that optimum composition of natural microbentonite in the blend with highest tensile strength and Young's modulus was obtained when loading of the filler was 4 phr. When compared to that without filler, DSC thermogram of the optimum blend showed better thermal properties (lower heat release decreased from 903.10 J/g to 420.17 J/g) although the decomposition temperatures did not change considerably (407.8° to 408.09°C). Whereas the later also exhibited higher water uptake (0.05 to 0.34 %) and still with acceptable mechanical properties as adhesive materials.