Effect of different types of vulcanization systems on the mechanical properties of natural rubber vulcanizates in the presence of oil palm leaves-based antioxidant

Abstract

Different types of vulcanization systems play an important role towards thermal degradation of natural rubber (NR) compound. In this study, NR compounds were cured with efficient vulcanization (EV), semi-efficient vulcanization (SEV) and conventional vulcanization (CV) system in the presence of natural antioxidant (NA) obtained from oil palm leaves to compare the effectiveness of NA on the properties of NR vulcanizate, the same compound was prepared in the presence of commercial antioxidant, trimethylquinoline (TMQ). The samples were then subjected to tensile and tear test before and after ageing process. Both SEV/NA and EV/NA NR vulcanizates showed comparable results on mechanical properties before and after ageing process as compared to TMQ. Meanwhile, for CV systems, the result showed reduction in mechanical properties after a longer time of ageing due to the breakage of polysulphidic cross-link.