Development of exfoliated mica waste/natural rubber composites by latex stage mixing

ABSTRACT

Raw mica powder may not show better physico-mechanical properties in rubber owing to its large particle sizes and low degree of surface activeness. Here, mica waste; a green filler was modified by partially exfoliating before incorporating it into natural rubber (NR). The latex stage mixing was conducted to incorporate different loadings of exfoliated mica waste (eWM). The incorporation of eWM had no significant effect on cure and scorch time. The reduction of viscosities indicated better processability of the compounds. The overall improvement of moduli, tensile, abrasion resistance, and cross-link densities supported by SEM and TGA data suggested improved rubber–filler interactions.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Exfoliation
• mica
• natural rubber
• physico-mechanical properties
• polymer composites
• green filler

Acknowledgments

The authors are extremely thankful to the staff of the Polymer Chemistry Department of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka for providing technical support and to Dr. Suranga Rajapakshe of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka for his assistance in material characterization work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Y.R. Somarathna

Y. R. Somarathna, is curently a PhD student in University of Southern Queensland, Australia. He completed his BSc and MSc degrees from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. His research interests are focused on shape memory polymer composites, epoxy prepreg development, polymer characterization, and rubber technology.

G.L.H. Rathnayake

G. L. H. Rathnayake, obtained her BSc degree in Palm and Latex Technology from Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka. Her research interests include rubber processing and compounding.

P.S.V. Rupasinghe

P. S. V.Rupasinghe, is a Technical Officer in the Rubber Technology Division of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka. She obtained her BSc degree from Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka. Her working area encompasses advanced polymer characterization techniques and their applications.

I.H.K. Samarasinghe

I.H.K.Samarasinghe, is currently working as a Research Officer in the Rubber Technology Division of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka. She completed her BSc degree at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and is currently pursuing her PhD degree at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Her expertise includes rubber processing, rubber compounding, and polymer characterization techniques.

Y.C.Y. Sudusingha

Y. C. Y. Sudusingha, is a lecturer (probationary) at University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka and currently pursuing his PhD degree in chemistry at the University of Toledo, USA. He completed his BSc in Chemistry from the University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Sri Lanka. His research area includes raw rubber processing and rubber technology.

S. Siriwardena

S. Siriwardena, is currently serving as the Acting Director of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka. He obtained his PhD degree from Universiti Sains Malaysia. His research interests include raw rubber processing technology and rubber technology.

J.A. Epaarachchi

J. A. Epaarachchi, is currently serving as an Associate Professor in School of Engineering, University of Southern Queensland, Australia. He obtained his PhD from The University of Newcastle, Australia in 2003. His major research areas are structural health monitoring, development of smart composite materials, and fatigue and fracture of composite materials.