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Effect of zinc oxide level as activator on the mechanical properties of natural rubber composite


M.N. Chukwu
I. Ekhator
L.O. Ekebafe

Abstract

The effect of Zinc Oxide level as an activator on the Mechanical properties of Natural Rubber Composite was studied. It has been discovered that technicians usually add additional Zinc oxide different from the recommended dosage used in the formulation receipt during the process of compounding and also recovery of scorched compounds. One hundred parts per hundred rubber (100phr) of Natural rubber was compounded with Zinc Oxide levels of, 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10phr respectively. The effect of Zinc Oxide level on tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus, hardness, abrasion resistance and compression set were investigated. The result obtained showed that as the Zinc Oxide level increased, the tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus, hardness and compression set attained their maximum values at 5.0phr, after which there was a gradual decrease of same properties as a result of reversion. For the purpose of hardness and enhanced tensile properties, a known quantity of 5.0phr is recommended.

Keywords: Activator, Composite, Mechanical properties, Natural Rubber, Zinc Oxide.


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eISSN: 2467-8821
print ISSN: 0331-8443