<i>Calamus deerratus</i> fibre reinforced natural rubber vulcanizates

Abstract

This research study investigates the potentials of Calamus deerratus fibre (CDF) as a reinforcing filler in natural rubber, Standard Nigerian Rubber (SNR 10) vulcanizates. The Calamus deerratus was cut, dried, pulverized, characterized and incorporated into the natural rubber compounds and the effects on the cure characteristics and physico-mechanical properties of the CDF-reinforced natural rubber vulcanizates were determined. The results of the analyses, in comparison with a standard carbon black, CB(N330)-filled vulcanizates showed that the CDF manifested a reinforcing effect on the SNR 10 vulcanizates but inferior to carbon black, N330-filled vulcanizates. The maximum torque, abrasion resistance, modulus, specific gravity and hardness increased while the scorch time, cure time, elongation at break and rebound resilience decreased with increasing filler content. The cure time and scorch time were however higher in CDF-filled SNR 10 vulcanizates compared to those filled with carbon black, N330. Tensile strengths of CB(N330)-and CDF-filled vulcanizates increased to optimum levels at 40 phr and 30 phr respectively and decreased with increasing filler content. The results however showed that CDF imparted lower reinforcing potential as shown by the lower tensile strength, abrasion resistance and modulus. The hardness results of the CDF-filled vulcanizates showed slight superiority over that of CB(N330)-filled vulcanizates.

Characteristics of natural rubber – carbonized pawpaw seed composites

“…This is a clear indication of reinforcement by the fillers. Similar observations have been reported by previous researchers (Igwe and Ejim, 2011;Okoh et al, 2014;Osabohien et al, 2015;Osabohien and Ojeifo, 2017).…”

“…The moisture contents of CPS and RPS were higher than those of CB (N330). High moisture may impart weak mechanical strength properties to rubber vulcanizates due to lowered filler-rubber matrix interactions (Puglia et al, 2005;Osabohien et al, 2006;Okoh et al, 2014;Osabohien et al, 2015;Osabohien and Ojeifo, 2017). The % loss on ignition at 1000 0 C is a measure of carbonaceous content of a material and it is highest in N330 than CPS and RPS (Table 2) And because carbon is a reinforcing element, the more the carbon content the more reinforcing the plant based filler material (Osabohien and Egboh, 2007a;Osabohien and Egboh, 2007b;Onyeagoro, 2012;Osabohien et al, 2015).…”

“…The higher it is, the larger the surface area of the particle, and the finer or smaller the particle. Very fine particle fillers do help promote strong surface contact between fillerpolymer matrix (Osabohien et al, 2006;Okoh et al, 2014;Osabohien et al, 2015;Osabohien and Ojeifo, 2017). The RPS aqueous slurry has a higher pH value than N330 and CPS.…”

“…Particulate filler such as carbon black is commercially very important and has been widely used as reinforcing filler, but its high cost due to its production process derivable from petroleum has led to local sourcing of alternative fillers that will provide good reinforcing properties at reduced cost (Osabohien and Egboh, 2007b;Akinlabi et al, 2011). It has been reported that plant materials and natural fibre-reinforced biocomposites are light in weight, have good physicomechanical properties, renewable, easily recycled and exhibit high resistance to corrosion and weather changes, biodegradable, low cost, and environmentally friendly (Osabohien et al, 2015). In previous reports, plant materials that can serve as fillers include; jute, raffia, pineapple leaf fibre, coconut fibre, flax, wood, cocoa pod husk, plantain peels, groundnut shell, rubber seed shell, cherry seed shell, Velvet tamarind seed shell, Calamus deerratus fibre (Wang et al, 2003;Osabohien et al, 2006;Okoh et al, 2008;Osabohien and Egboh, 2008;Abu-Bakar et al, 2012;Chaiwat et al, 2013;Imoisili et al, 2013;Osabohien et al, 2015).…”