A Study of the Effect of Nano Zinc Oxide on Cure Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Rubber Composites

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of nano zinc oxide on cure characteristics and mechanical properties of natural rubber composites in comparison with the effect of conventional zinc oxide. Six rubber compounds were prepared with nano zinc oxide (particle size = (10-30) nm and surface area = (30-60) m2/g) and levels of (0,0.4,0.8,1.2,1.6,2) phr (parts per hundred parts of rubber weight). Six rubber compounds were prepared with conventional zinc oxide levels of (0,2,4,5,6,8) phr. The cure rate index was improved by 48.29% and torque difference was improved by 4.77%. The tensile strength was improved by 7.37% and the modulus at 300% was improved by 3.27%, while the hardness was decreased by 5.73%. The using of nano zinc oxide instead of conventional zinc oxide reduced the amount of zinc oxide inside rubber composites by 75%.