Janitha Jayapamoda Mahanthe, L. Karunanayake, Imalka Munaweera, D. A. S. Amarasinghe, K. A. K. E. I. Dharmapala, Hashma Imnisar
{"title":"Investigating the aspect ratio and concentration of ZnO nanoparticles as a filler to improve the electrical, thermal and mechanical properties of rubber composites","authors":"Janitha Jayapamoda Mahanthe, L. Karunanayake, Imalka Munaweera, D. A. S. Amarasinghe, K. A. K. E. I. Dharmapala, Hashma Imnisar","doi":"10.1007/s42464-025-00295-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-025-00295-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates a novel method to produce ZnO nanoparticles with different aspect ratios by controlling the stirring time. As the synthesis scale increases, the size of the reaction mixture influences the particle morphology. This study further examines the impact of ZnO nanoparticles, specifically when coated with Si-69, on natural rubber (NR) composites’ mechanical and electrical properties. Characterisation through FTIR, PXRD and SEM reveals successful synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles with varying morphologies. Aspect ratio analysis indicates that reaction kinetics and temperature influence nanoparticle morphology. Si-69 surface modification is confirmed through FTIR, PXRD and SEM. Incorporation of the synthesised nanoparticles into rubber composites demonstrates enhanced electrical and thermal properties. Electrical resistivity decreases with ZnO np concentration and aspect ratio, highlighting tunable electrical conductivity without compromising mechanical performance. Si-69 capped ZnO nps consistently exhibits superior thermal conductivity across concentrations. Furthermore, compared to commercial ZnO, it exhibits improved mechanical properties and cross-linking density. Tensile and tear strength exhibit significant relationships with type and concentration of ZnO nps. Interestingly, aspect ratio has a minimal influence on mechanical properties of rubber composites. TGA shows similar breakdown patterns, with inorganic residues suggesting that ZnO and carbon black may have been present after 650 °C. The findings offer insights into tailoring ZnO-reinforced rubber composites for diverse rubber-based applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 2","pages":"179 - 195"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145161334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigating the influence of alkali treated hemp fibre on the mechanical properties of diverse rubber composites","authors":"Cemal Güner, Aynur Manzak","doi":"10.1007/s42464-025-00294-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-025-00294-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigates the effect of natural hemp fibre and alkali modification on the properties of rubber compounds. The effect of adding hemp fibre from alkali modified natural fibres to three different rubber compounds was studied. The results revealed a decrease in curing times with the addition of fibres, a decrease that was further increased by alkali modification, shifting the environment to a basic environment. As the fibre content increased, the cross-link density and compound hardness also increased. Alkali modification reduced fibre hardness, resulting in lower compound hardness and viscosity compared to untreated fibre. Tensile strength showed improvement with fibre reinforcement among different rubber types. We observed an increase in tensile strength of up to 70%. The presence of fibres significantly increased the tear resistance. Nitrile butadiene rubber showed an improvement of 137% with untreated fibre and 209% with treated fibre. In contrast, epoxy modified natural rubber showed an improvement of 165% with treated fibre. These findings are promising for the improvement of mechanical properties of rubber compounds through natural fibre reinforcement, especially with alkali modification. However, deformation properties deteriorate after 10% strain, highlighting the need for further optimisation of fibre/polymer interactions for improved performance.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 2","pages":"159 - 177"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145165304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Husam A. Abed, A. Najah Saud, Mohammed H. Al Maamori, Yasin Akgul
{"title":"Development of a silicone rubber nanocomposite for prosthetic socket liners with enhanced mechanical and antibacterial properties","authors":"Husam A. Abed, A. Najah Saud, Mohammed H. Al Maamori, Yasin Akgul","doi":"10.1007/s42464-024-00293-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-024-00293-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Due to its ease of processing and excellent thermal and chemical stability, silicone rubber (SR) has become the preferred material for prosthetic socket liners. However, its inherent mechanical weaknesses and low surface free energy challenge durability and adhesion strength. This study aims to improve the mechanical strength, hydrophilic characteristics, and antibacterial effectiveness of silicone rubber used for prosthetic socket liners by optimising the composite formulation that incorporates hydroxyapatite (HA), zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, and chlorophyll into a silicone rubber matrix. Significant improvements in silicone rubber’s hydrophilicity are attained by incorporating chlorophyll, thus enhancing water absorption capacity. Adding nano-ZnO and nano-HA influences mechanical properties, with aggregation affecting tensile and tear strength. Optimum chlorophyll content is established at 10%, balancing mechanical robustness and water absorption for high-performance denture linings. The composite’s crystalline structure is confirmed by XRD analysis, revealing the presence of ZnO and HA nanoparticles dispersed within the matrix. Antibacterial tests demonstrate significant inhibition against <i>Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli</i> after 24 h of contact. The study successfully formulates a multifunctional nanocomposite with improved performance over conventional silicone, offering the potential for enhanced prosthetic socket viability and infection prevention.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 2","pages":"143 - 158"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145163555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Neettha Nai Sem, Norfatirah Muhamad Sarih, Shamin Aida Mohd Din, Azura A. Rashid
{"title":"Effects on curing characteristics and physical properties of hybrid carbon black /feldspar filled several types of rubbers for selection of rubber applications","authors":"Neettha Nai Sem, Norfatirah Muhamad Sarih, Shamin Aida Mohd Din, Azura A. Rashid","doi":"10.1007/s42464-024-00291-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-024-00291-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Carbon black (CB) and silica are conventional fillers used extensively in the tyre industry worldwide. Due to its affordability and sustainability, feldspar can be utilised as an alternative to traditional fillers in the production of tyres. Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) filled with feldspar and CB (SBR/CB-Feldspar) has been used in this study to assess feldspar's potential as a reinforcement filler in tyre tread applications. CB:Silica was compared to CB:Feldspar at a similar ratio to determine the ideal hybrid filler system. For both control and hybrid compounds, this work observed the impacts of different sulphur vulcanisation systems, including conventional vulcanisation (CV), efficient vulcanisation (EV), and semi-efficient vulcanisation (semi-EV). The control compound, which contains 40 parts per hundred rubber (phr) of CB, is based on the composition of hybrid compounds, which have CB:Feldspar filler ratios of 30:10, 20:20, and 10:30. The findings demonstrate that the semi-EV system reduces the SBR-Feldspar compound’s scorch and cure times. The hybrid compound's curing characteristics and physical properties, such as tensile strength, hardness, rebound resilience, and abrasion resistance, have been enhanced using SBR/CB-Feldspar with the maximum CB content (30 phr). Moreover, further research on optimised hybrid CB:Feldspar composition with various rubbers has been conducted to examine the effects on curing characteristics and mechanical properties of hybrid fillers with the rubbers, including Natural rubber (NR), Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber (EPDM), Chloroprene Rubber (CR), and Nitrile Rubber (NBR). These results conclusively establish the potential value of feldspar, which can function as a softener, extender, and can be considered a semi-reinforcing filler for various rubber applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"27 5","pages":"703 - 717"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142995590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A study exploring the impact of graphene on the mechanical behaviour of silicone rubber-based nanocomposite","authors":"R. Mashi, Seyed Mojtaba Zebarjad","doi":"10.1007/s42464-024-00290-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-024-00290-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Previous research has shown that the impact of different particles on the mechanical and thermal properties of silicone rubber (SR) can vary greatly. Some researchers believe that these particles have positive effects, while others hold a different view. However, there is still uncertainty surrounding the specific effect of graphene on the mechanical behaviour of silicone rubber. To address this gap in the literature, the authors aim to investigate the role of graphene particles on the mechanical properties of room temperature vulcanised (RTV) silicone rubber. In this research, graphene nanosheets were used as reinforcement for silicone rubber. Different weight percentages of 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 were utilised. The mechanical behaviour of the prepared composites was examined through tension and compression tests. Additionally, the fracture surface of the tensile samples was analysed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) Cambridge Streo Scan model. Results indicate that the inclusion of 0.25 wt% graphene leads to a 10% increase in tensile strength and a 31% increase in elastic modulus compared to the pure state of silicone rubber. Furthermore, the presence of graphene nanosheets enhances the compressive strength from 3.21 MPa in pure silicone to 5.49 MPa at a weight percentage of 0.5%, while also reducing the compression rate of the silicone rubber.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 1","pages":"19 - 26"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143717002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigating pyrolytic carbon black in natural rubber compounds: rheological, mechanical and dynamic effects","authors":"Gozde Kuru, Mert Goksuzoglu","doi":"10.1007/s42464-024-00292-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-024-00292-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The automotive industry, the highest consumer of carbon black, has established specific targets to integrate effective alternative materials such as pyrolytic carbon black. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of pyrolytic carbon black as a potential alternative filler in the rubber industry, focusing on its effects on processing, rheological, mechanical and dynamic properties. Four compounds were prepared using two pyrolytic carbon blacks with different surface areas and two conventional carbon blacks that are N330 and N550. The results indicated that the use of pyrolytic carbon black increases scorch and optimum cure times and decreases maximum and minimum torque. Tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus at 100% elongation and hardness of the compounds before and after aging were obtained and discussed. In addition, dynamic properties were obtained and it was observed that pyrolytic carbon black decreases tan delta. Pyrolytic carbon black also significantly decreases compound viscosity, enhancing processability. The thermal conductivity of compounds containing pyrolytic carbon blacks and conventional carbon blacks were also analyzed. Based on these findings, pyrolytic carbon black can be used as an alternative filler for specific applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 1","pages":"3 - 18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143716922","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Imran Shabbir, Mui-Yun Wong, Zulkefly Sulaiman, Muhammad Shahbaz, Iqra Khan, Humaira Rizwana, Mohamed Soliman Elshikh, Muhammad Faheem Adil
{"title":"Beyond fungicides: embracing bioformulation innovation in mitigating white root rot disease impact on rubber plantations","authors":"Imran Shabbir, Mui-Yun Wong, Zulkefly Sulaiman, Muhammad Shahbaz, Iqra Khan, Humaira Rizwana, Mohamed Soliman Elshikh, Muhammad Faheem Adil","doi":"10.1007/s42464-024-00289-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-024-00289-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The white root rot (WRR) disease poses a formidable economic challenge to rubber plantations globally, with Malaysia particularly hard-hit. This disease is attributed to <i>Rigidoporus microporus</i>. This glasshouse experiment investigated the effects of a stored, peat moss-based formulation containing silicon (Si), <i>Glomus mosseae</i>, and <i>Enterobacter</i> sp. UPMSSB7 on combatting WRR and promoting the growth of rubber plants. Compared to the positive control, the experimental bioformulation significantly reduced disease incidence (<i>P</i> < 0.0001), with efficacy comparable to the propiconazole fungicide. Furthermore, the bioformulation and fungicide treatments demonstrated superior disease mitigation compared to the positive control 24 weeks after <i>R. microporus</i>-inoculation. The bioformulation treatment not only reduced disease incidence and mitigated foliar and root rot symptoms, but it also resulted in a lower disease progressive curve and reduced <i>R. microporus</i> colonisation. Additionally, bioformulation significantly increased (<i>P</i> < 0.001) plant growth parameters 24 weeks after <i>R. microporus</i> inoculation. These parameters included stem height, girth size, chlorophyll content, leaf area, root and shoot dry weight, root volume, total root length, and root surface area. These effects surpassed those observed in fungicide and control treatments. The Si content in shoot and root and leaf N, P, and K nutrient contents were also significantly (<i>P <</i> 0.001) increased in the <i>R. microporus</i>-inoculated plants with the tested bioformulation than the fungicide and control. In the case of <i>R. microporus</i>-inoculated plants of bioformulation treatment, there was a significant (<i>P <</i> 0.001) increase in the population density of <i>Enterobacter</i> sp. (1.5 × 10<sup>8</sup> cfu g<sup>− 1</sup> soil), surpassing the levels observed in non-inoculated plants of bioformulation and inoculants with Si, with or without <i>R. microporus</i>-inoculation. Moreover, bioformulation treatments improved (<i>P <</i> 0.001) root colonisation as well as spore density of <i>G. mosseae</i> after <i>R. microporus</i>-inoculation than control and fungicide. This study suggests that a peat-based bioformulation containing <i>G. mosseae</i>, <i>Enterobacter</i> sp., and Si could be an effective strategy for both enhancing plant growth and mitigating WRR in rubber plants.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"27 5","pages":"691 - 702"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142995731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amirreza Zabihi, Gholamreza Bozorg Panah Kharat, Mohammad Fasihi, Sajad Rasouli
{"title":"Improving the curing performance of styrene-butadiene rubber/butadiene rubber composites through the addition of silicon nitride","authors":"Amirreza Zabihi, Gholamreza Bozorg Panah Kharat, Mohammad Fasihi, Sajad Rasouli","doi":"10.1007/s42464-024-00288-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-024-00288-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The objective of this research was to investigate the impact of silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) on the compression moulding process of potential passenger tyre tread compounds, which include both butadiene rubber (BR) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). Understanding how Si₃N₄ influences the curing process, particularly through temperature monitoring in the mould, is crucial for optimising the vulcanisation and performance characteristics of tyre tread compounds. By examining the kinetic reaction characteristics and thermal properties, this study aims to elucidate the role of Si₃N₄ in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the curing process. The obtained kinetic reaction characteristics demonstrated a decrease in the duration of optimum curing and scorch by ~ 25 and ~ 40%, respectively, by adding silicon nitride. Moreover, the rheometry analysis illustrated an increase of ~ 12% in maximum torque when 6 phr of Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> was loaded. The Kamal–Sourour model, employed for the determination of kinetic parameters, revealed that the thermal conductivity of Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> played a catalytic role in enhancing the curing reaction by approximately 40%, notably at 6 phr of filler. Temperature monitoring results revealed that the Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> particles increase the heat transfer rate and thermal diffusivity by approximately 17 and 98%, respectively, during curing. This increase is also observed in the cured compound, with a notable improvement of around 17%, particularly at 6 phr of Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>. This phenomenon facilitated a uniform heat distribution within the sample during the moulding process, resulting in an accelerated vulcanisation reaction.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"27 5","pages":"677 - 689"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142994465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of strains and temperatures on the stress relaxation of unfilled natural rubber","authors":"Muhammad Umar Zulkefli, Julia Gough","doi":"10.1007/s42464-024-00284-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s42464-024-00284-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Many rubber-based components are required to withstand long-term stress or strain without developing excessive stress relaxation or creep. A model was implemented for simple shear which used the Boltzmann superposition principle (BSP) to predict the stress relaxation following changes in strain and the William–Landel–Ferry transformation to allow for changes in temperature. Stress relaxation was modelled as linear with the logarithmic of time with a Prony series deduced from two independent parameters. By means of small-time increments, the model can be used to model the stress relaxation under arbitrary strain and temperature histories. Stress relaxation measurements were carried out for two types of deformations: simple shear and compression. The samples were made of an unfilled natural rubber and tested under varying strains and temperatures and the results compared to the predictions of the model. The agreement was generally good, and the discrepancies are discussed. The model parameters were also used within the linear viscoelastic model in the commercial finite element analysis package ABAQUS, which enables modelling in deformation modes other than simple shear.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":662,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Rubber Research","volume":"28 1","pages":"87 - 103"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143716630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}