Rheological and mechanical properties of wood flour filled polyisoprene/chlorosulphonated polyethylene rubber blends

Abstract

The effect of wood flour (WF) on curing behaviour and swelling properties of polyisoprene rubber/chlorosulphonated polyethylene (NR/CSM) rubber blends was investigated. The mechanical properties, as well as the equilibrium swelling characteristics of the elastomeric composites filled with WF (particle size from 300 to 400 μm) were measured as a function of filler loading (the range of 0 to 50 phr) and compared with the values for the elastomeres based on commercial grade carbon black filler (nano-sized particles, 26-30 nm). In some formulations phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins are used to achieve better adhesion between rubber macromolecules and filler particles. For WF filled elastomeres the maximum tensile strength of 11 MPa at 20 phr was recorded. Hardness of samples filled with WF increased with filler loading. Abrasion resistance decreases marginally with increasing filler loading. The equilibrium sorption in toluene of NR/CSM vulcanizates filled decreased with increasing filler loading for both type of filler.