The properties of composites based on NR/CSM rubber blend and waste rubber powder

The use of reclaiming scrap waste rubber is of great ecological interest due to itssignificant influence to the environment. Powdered waste rubber (WRP) can be used asa filler in mixtures with rubbers, thermoplastics, and as modifiers for asphalt. In this workthe composites based on natural rubber (NR) and chlorosufonated polyethylene (CSM)filled with different content of WRP were prepared on a laboratory-size two-roll mixingmill. The curing by sulfur was done at 160º C. The mechanical properties, namely tensilestrength, tensile modulus at 100% elongation, elongation at break and hardness have beenfollowed up as a function of irradiation dose (100; 200; 300; 400 kGy), as well as wasterubber powder content (0; 20; 40; 60; 80; 100 phr). It was assessed that the addition of20 phr waste rubber has improved the properties of obtained elastomeric materials. Theimprovement of composites mechanical properties is in correlation with homogeneousWRP distribution which has been assigned by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).