The effect of silica filler quartz sand from tailing processing of mining material on mechanical properties, thermal aging and morphology rubber compound

Abstract

Tailings as waste from mining material processing contain constituents that have the potential to be exploited economically. Tailings deposits derived from tin mines include quartz sand with a SiO2 content of 98.03%, which can function as a filler for rubber products. This research studied silica quartz sand as a mineral filler in natural rubber (NR) on rubber’s mechanical and thermal aging characteristics. The effect of reinforced filled in NR was observed by varying 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 phr of the filler. The thermal aging test is carried out at 70 °C and 100 °C for a storage period of 72 hours. SEM micrographs were used to examine morphology. The results showed that using silica quartz sand as a filler improved various properties, including tensile strength, tear strength, elongation at break, hardness, and abrasion resistance. The higher the grinding temperature, the higher the hardness and tensile strength, but the lower the elongation at break. Morphological analysis using SEM micrographs revealed the system’s strengths and weaknesses. The silica particles are homogeneously mixed with natural rubber, according to SEM analysis. According to the findings of this study, the silica of quartz sand from tin mining processing industrial waste can be used as a cost-effective alternative filler in NR compounding.