Effects of Modified Palm Stearin on Torque Properties of Carbon Black-loaded Epoxidized Natural Rubber

Abstract

This research study investigates the effects of modified palm stearin (MPS) on the torque properties of carbon black (CB)-loaded Epoxidized Natural Rubber with 25% mole (ENR 25). The ENR 25 was loaded with CB at a fixed loading (thirty phr) and the MPS was added into the CB-loaded ENR 25 compounds with varied doses from one to seven phr. The effects of MPS incorporations on the maximal torque, minimal torque and torque change of CB)-loaded ENR 25 were investigated. It was observed that the MPS caused some affection in torque properties of the ENR 25. The MPS lowered the minimal torque but raised the maximal torque and torque change. The bigger the MPS doses caused in the lower was the minimal torque but caused in the higher was the torque change. The enhancement in torque was attributed to the role of MPS as the supplementary plasticizing agent for the CB-loaded ENR 25 compounds. The oily property of MPS decreased the viscosity and enhanced rubber to filler interaction or crosslinks level, respectively.