Development of Papyrus Fiber Reinforced Natural Rubber Composite for Shoe Sole

ABSTRACT

Fully biodegradable, green composites were fabricated with papyrus fibers and natural rubber. Papyrus fiber was extracted from the Cyprus papyrus plant using enzymatic degradation. The fiber was characterized for its physical, mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties. Papyrus fiber reinforced natural rubber composite (PNRc) soles were prepared by compression molding using three levels of fiber loading and fiber length. Pure natural rubber sole was used as a control sample. Prepared samples were characterized for their flex resistance, tensile strength, abrasion resistance, density, and hardness using ISO standards. Further investigation was done for thermal resistance, water absorbency, and surface morphology. Results revealed that papyrus fiber reinforced natural rubber composite exhibited optimum hardness which increased by 18.70% than that of pure rubber. Flexural resistance improved by 20%. TGA result showed that the thermal stability of the sole has been enhanced due to the presence of papyrus fiber. Optimal fiber volume and fiber length was found to be 16.5% and 10 mm respectively with curing temperature 110°C, pressure 150 Kpa, and time 4 minutes. The study showed promising results in fulfilling outsole standards, which implies these composite could be an alternative solution for the footwear industry.

摘要

以纸莎草纸纤维和天然橡胶为原料, 制备了完全可生物降解的绿色复合材料. 采用酶降解法从塞浦路斯纸莎草属植物中提取纸莎草属纤维. 对纤维的物理, 力学, 化学和热性能进行了表征. 以纸莎草纸纤维增强天然橡胶复合材料 (PNRc) 为研究对象, 采用三种不同纤维含量和纤维长度的模压成型工艺制备了PNRc鞋底. 以纯天然橡胶鞋底为对照. 采用ISO标准对制备的样品的抗弯强度, 抗拉强度, 耐磨性, 密度和硬度进行了表征. 进一步研究了材料的热阻, 吸水性和表面形貌. 结果表明, 纸莎草纤维增强天然橡胶复合材料具有最佳的硬度, 比纯橡胶提高了18.70%. 抗弯性能提高20%. 热重分析结果表明, 纸莎草纸纤维的加入提高了鞋底的热稳定性. 最佳纤维体积和纤维长度分别为16.5%和10mm, 固化温度110°C, 压力150kpa, 时间4min. 研究表明, 在满足外底标准方面取得了令人鼓舞的成果, 这意味着这些复合材料可能成为鞋业的替代解决方案.

关键词:

• 纤维增强复合材料
• 天然橡胶
• 外底
• 纸莎草纤维

KEYWORDS:

• Fiber-reinforced composite
• natural rubber
• outsole
• papyrus fiber