Natural rubber latex-based adhesives: role of nanofillers

Abstract

The effect of nanosilicates on the performance of natural rubber latex (NRL)-based adhesives was studied. For comparison, a reference filler (Kaolin clay) was included in the study. Natural leather was used as the adherend and the adhesive strength was recorded by measuring the peel strength. The results indicated that incorporation of nanosilicates imparted increased peel strength to NRL-based adhesives. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies confirm the excellent dispersion of silicate platelets in the NR matrix. Peel strength showed maximum value for NRL-based adhesive containing 2phr nanosilicate. The results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that addition of nanosilicates imparted better thermal stability into the adhesives. Conventional clay could not make any improvement in properties of the adhesives. Viscosity of NRL-based adhesive was increased by the addition of the nanosilicates which confirms the better dispersion of the nanofiller into the NR matrix. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis and contact angle measurements of the NRL/nanosilicate adhesives were also carried out.

Keywords:

• Adhesion
• adhesive
• nanosilicate
• natural rubber latex
• peel strength

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi for the research fellowship awarded.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).