Possible Use of Sepiolite as Alternative Filler for Natural Rubber

Abstract

The use of mineral fillers in rubber industry has been increasingly focused. Sepiolite is considered as one of the mineral fillers that exploits unique characteristics. This is due to its unique needle-like fibrous and a tunnel-like micro-pore channel structures. Therefore, adding this filler in natural rubber (NR) matrix would bring tremendous advantage. The study was carried out in the form of curing characteristics, tensile properties and morphology together with the dynamic properties. Filling sepiolite to NR has brought to a noticeable enhancement of curing characteristics, tensile properties and morphology. This is contributed to the distinctive structure of sepiolite itself, it provides a better dispersion to the NR. Surface roughness of the composites is visibly found which is responsible for the mechanical properties. Further verification was also monitored through the dynamic properties of the composites. The obtained profiles are in good agreement to the tensile properties and morphological characteristics observed.

Influence of different vulcanizing agents on structures and properties of sepiolite-filled natural rubber composites

“…Various types of filler have been applied in rubber composites, with carbon black and silica being the most widely used fillers in the rubber industries [1,2]. Recently, the use of sepiolite as filler in rubber composites has been the subject of research due to the unique structure of sepiolite, allowing for the enhancement of mechanical, thermal, and barrier performance of composites [5][6][7]. Sepiolite, a naturally occurring material, is a hydrous magnesium silicate with the conceptual unit cell formula of Si 12 Mg 8 O 30 (OH,F) 4 •(H 2 O) 4 •8H 2 O.…”

Influence of Preparation Method on Properties of Natural Rubber/Sepiolite Composites

“…A reduction of both ts1 and t90 was due to metal oxides, i.e., the magnesium oxide (MgO) containing in the structure of sepiolite. As widely known that the metal oxides can be worked as curing activators, thus accelerating the sulfur vulcanization of NR [7,11]. Therefore, the ts1 and T90 were shortened by the addition of sepiolite filler.…”

“…Interest in searching alternative fillers for rubber has been increasing recently. Many alternative fillers have been incorporated into the rubber including lignin, sludge and so forth [5][6][7]. Sepiolite is one of the example of alternative fillers being given special attention.…”

“…Sepiolite belongs to clay family with microfibrous morphology having the chemical formula of Si12Mg8O30(OH, F)4]. (H2O)4•8H2O [7]. The length of the fibrous sepiolite ranging from 2-10 μm and its structure composed of a tunnellike micro-pore channel which can interact with rubber chains.…”

“…The length of the fibrous sepiolite ranging from 2-10 μm and its structure composed of a tunnellike micro-pore channel which can interact with rubber chains. Recently, the possibility of using sepiolite as a filler in the rubber composites has been reported [7]. The results showed that the mechanical properties of NR were improved by the addition of sepiolite filler.…”