Utilization of Bagasse Ash as a Filler in Natural Rubber and Styrene–Butadiene Rubber Composites

Abstract

Possibility of utilizing bagasse ash (BA) as a filler for natural rubber (NR) and styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) was investigated. Detailed measurement by several techniques was used to characterize. Various loadings of BA (0–30 phr) were then incorporated into NR and SBR. Morphology and properties of the BA filled rubbers were finally investigated. It was found that BA contained SiO $$_{2}$$ as the major constituent with other metal oxides, such as CaO, Al $$_{2}$$ O $$_{3}$$ and K $$_{2}$$ O, as the minor constituents. The average size of the particles and specific surface area of the BA were 48.8 $$\upmu $$ m and 36.3 m $$^{2}$$ g $$^{-1}$$ , respectively. When incorporated into the rubbers, both scorch and cure times decreased, whereas tensile modulus ( $$M_{100})$$ and hardness slightly increased with greater loadings of BA. Interestingly, tensile strength and tear strength did not significantly change with the addition of BA up to 30 phr. The results indicate the potential of using BA as a filler in the rubber industry for cost reduction and raising the environmental credentials of the product.