Abstract
By using a semi-efficient vulcanisation system; the effects of the lauryl alcohol (LA) addition as a new rubber additive on cure characteristics and tensile properties of silica-filled natural rubber (NR) composites were investigated. The NR composite was filled with silica filler with a fixed loading, 30.0 phr. The LA is a fatty alcohol based on palm kernel oil and added into the silica-filled NR composites. The LA loadings were 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 phr. It was found that LA functioned as a co-curing (curative) and internal plasticiser. As a co-curing agent, LA increased the crosslink density and tensile strength up to 3.0 phr of loading. As an internal plasticiser, LA decreased the modulus tensile and increased elongations at break of silica-filled NR composites. The 3.0 phr of LA was the optimum loading.
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