Influence of nanofibers prepared from rice husk on the properties of natural rubber

Abstract

ABSTRACT Different concentrations of rice husk fibres have been mixed with natural rubber to study the effect on the properties of rubber mixtures and vulcanisates. Cellulose nanofibers were added in different concentrations up to 100 phr. The aim was to improve the mechanical properties of the composite, swelling resistance, and rheological properties. The research studied microstructure of prepared composites and properties of rubber mixes and vulcanisates, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction. Rice husk fibres derived from treating the husk with sodium hydroxide followed by careful drying and grinding in ball mill were used as filler in natural rubber formulations. These treated fibres improved the tensile strength up to an optimum concentration (20 phr) and then started to decrease in effect. A marked improvement in the modulus of elasticity and hardness of rubber mixtures also occurs.