Optimization of Standard Indonesian Rubber 20 and Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Blending for Ship Launcher Application

Abstract

AbstractIndonesia is one of the largest natural rubber producers in the world. However, the utilization of natural rubber is still not optimal, even though with a touch of technology, natural rubber can be utilized to create technical products that have high added value. One of the rubber products is rubber airbag. The purpose of this research is to know the effect of variations of natural rubber type Standard Indonesian Rubber (SIR) 20 and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber composition processed with auxiliary chemicals on the quality of mechanical properties of rubber airbag product which is considered quite optimal. Rubber compound is made from the mixture of natural rubber SIR 20 and synthetic rubber EPDM with variation of SIR 20/EPDM ratio A) 100/0; B) 90/10; C) 80/20; D) 0/100 phr. Rubber compound is made with kneader machine and open mill. Then its mechanical properties are tested in accordance with the target technical specifications to be achieved. Testing is done both before and after its immersion in sea water at 95 °C for 29 days. Test results both before and after immersion in sea water shows that the composition of natural rubber and EPDM has significant effect on mechanical properties and chemical structure of rubber compound vulcanizate. The optimum rubber compound formula for rubber airbag is sample A with 100 phr of SIR 20 composition with excellent mechanical properties of tensile strength, hardness, rebound resilience, and abrasion resistance.