Curing Characteristics and Tear Properties of Calcium Carbonate/Bentonite Filled Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) Rubber Composites

By : Nurus Sakinah Che Mat, Nadras Othman, Hanafi Ismail

Page No: 589-595

Abstract
Calcium carbonate/ Bentonite filled Ethylene Propylene (EPDM) composites were prepared via two roll mill. The study focused on the effect of substituting the use of calcium carbonate with Bt on their curing characteristics and tear properties at different ratio loading of CaCO3 / Bt (i.e. 30/0, 25/5, 15/15, 5/25 and 0/30). The results found that with decreasing CaCO3 loading in ratio loading of CaCO3 /Bt, the optimum curing time, scorch time and maximum torque decreased and minimum torque increased. While, the tear strength of EPDM/CaCO3 /Bt clay rubber composite was gradually increased as the CaCO3 loading in ratio of CaCO3 to Bt decreased. EPDM composite filled with Bt gave better reinforcement compared to EPDM filled with CaCO3 at the same loading. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the partial replacement of CaCO3 with Bt improved rubber-filler interaction and consequently increased the tear properties.

 Authors :
Nurus Sakinah Che Mat, Nadras Othman and Hanafi Ismail : Division of Polymer Engineering, School of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia