Evaluation of thermal and mechanical properties of crumb/natural rubber nanocomposites

Abstract

Although crumb rubber or waste tires are not classified as hazardous waste, they can cause environmental pollution if disposed incorrectly or irresponsibly. Waste tires can be put to many beneficial uses from one side and to protect the environment via limitting its accumulation when reaching their end of life from the other side. Shredded tires can be added to rubbers to be used in making school playgrounds, equine bedding and football pitches. This may result in the reduction of the mechanical properties of the composites which can be kept by the use of higher levels of other fillers in addition to crumb and hence keeping and even more enhancing these mechanical properties. The crumb rubber was added to natural rubber in the ratio of 10:100 by weight with the partial removal of the carbon black, from 60 to 20 phr, by montmorillonite (organo-modified nanoclay). The modified nanoclay was added in different loadings; 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 phr to the rubber mix formulations. Results of morphological analysis revealed the good miscibility and homogeneity between crumb and Natural rubber in one hand and all other ingredients in the other hand.The mechanical, thermal measurements the role of OMMT in enhancing the mechanical and thermal properties of the crumb/NR nanocomposites. The addition of crumb rubber reduces the hazardous working environments for personnel, lower the production cost by making a good use of waste tires and presents a green solution for getting rid of an environmental problem.