Morphological and Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber Compound/Poly(butylene succinate) Blend

Abstract

Biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)/natural rubber compound (NRC) blend was melt mixed using a two-roll mill. A weight ratio of PBS/NRC was 100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40 and 50/50. Morphological and mechanical properties were investigated. The results showed that the elongation at break increased with an increase of NRC content until the ratio of 80/20. While the tensile strength continuously decreased with an increasing amount of NRC. Moreover, the impact strength of the PBS/NRC blend increased until the ratio of 80/20 and tended to decrease in the further ratios. Morphology of PBS/NRC blend showed that NRC had good dispersion in PBS matrix up to 80/20. When the amount of NRC was increased, it became a larger particle due to an agglomeration, resulting in the mechanical properties.