An overview on recent approaches on drying of natural rubber materials

Abstract

Natural rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) is generally a product of tropical countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Due to its excellent physical properties, it is a widely used material in various industries, including tyre automotive, construction and medical. Natural rubber is often manufactured in wet form and must be dried to remove excess moisture and improve its mechanical properties. There are several methods for drying natural rubber, including vacuum drying, air drying, freeze drying and microwave drying. Microwave drying is a relatively new and promising method for drying natural rubber. This technology uses electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range to generate heat in the material, causing the moisture to evaporate. Microwave drying offers several advantages over traditional drying methods, including faster drying times, lower energy consumption and improved product quality. The natural rubber drying process is a complex process that consists of several factors such as humidity, temperature and drying time. Microwave drying is no exception and requires careful optimization of the process parameters to achieve optimal drying results. Research is currently underway to study the effects of microwave drying on natural rubber properties, including the physical, mechanical, chemical and thermal properties of the material. In this context, the article aims to provide an overview of the natural rubber drying process, with a particular focus on microwave drying. The article reviews the literature on the use of microwave drying for natural rubber and highlights the advantages and limitations of this method. The post also discusses the factors affecting the microwave drying process and their impact on the quality of the dried natural rubber. Finally, the paper identifies the gaps in our understanding of microwave drying of natural rubber and suggests potential areas for future research.