No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Aim: This study seeks to examine the cure characteristics and rheological properties of modified kaolin -Natural rubber vulcanizates. Methodology: Metal salt of rubber seed oil (RSO-Na) was used to modify kaolin and was then introduced into Natural Rubber (NR) by melt intercalation to produce vulcanizates mixed with various compositions of pristine and modified kaolin (2 -10 Parts per hundred rubbers). Results: Characterization of the modified kaolin using X-ray diffraction revealed increase in d-spacing from 7.15 to 14 Ǻ. Torque minimum (M L ), torque maximum (M H ) which are correlated with hardness increased with increasing organoclay loading. The storage modulus (G 1 ), loss modulus (G 11 and complex viscosity (Ƞcomplex) increased with increase in modified kaolin thus showing remarkable improvements of the vulcanizates. Conclusion:The results from the study indicate that the modified filled kaolin has a dramatic improvement on the NR composite compared to the pristine.

Four agricultural by-products namely Cocoa pod husk (CPH), Kola pod husk (KPH), Plantain peel (PP), and Orange peel (OP) were examined for their potential as alternative source of potash for soap production. These materials were ashed and the samples were subjected to hot aqueous extraction. Extracts from the ashed samples were characterized of their inorganic elements viz calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. Results indicated that these samples contains appreciable amount of potassium, a precursor material for soap production with CPH giving the highest value (41%).The percentage amount of the potash is of the order CPH > KPH > PPA > OPA. Liquid soaps were thus prepared from the extracts of CPA, KPH, PPA and OPA. Physical and chemical characteristics of the resulting soap products were carried out. The overall quality of the products compared well with that of the standard with exception of OP which showed little variations. Indications therefore abounds that these agricultural residues are suitable material or alternatives for convectional alkalis for soap production.