Substitutional Studies of Powdered Palm Kernel Shell (PPKS) for Carbon Black, Kaolin and Calcium Carbonate as Fillers in Natural Rubber Compounding

Natural rubber crumbs have always been the major input in rubber compounding, while reinforcing fillers such as carbon black, (CaCO3) and Kaolin are the conventional nonrenewable fillers used. Suitable replaceable fillers that are environmentally friendly, nonhealth hazard causing, and do not cause environmental pollution, that can replace the nonrenewable conventional filler, such as CBN330 are constantly being researched and sourced for [1]. The utilization of cocoa-pod husks and rubber seed shells as fillers in natural rubber compounding have been studied [2]. Equally, the mechanical properties of natural rubber reinforced by agricultural waste products have been evaluated [3]. Rice husks have been discovered as potential filler in epoxidized natural rubber [4]. Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) has been studied as filler with flame retardant properties in Styrene-butadiene rubber [5]. Carbonized plantain peel has been investigated to substitute N330 Carbon black, to improve the cure characteristics, physico-mechanical and equilibrium swelling properties in natural rubber vulcanizates [6]. Rheological rubber compounded with blend of carbonized melon seed shell and carbon black has also been investigated [7]. Tensile strength properties of oil palm empty fruit Bunch-Polyurethane composite have been Studied [8].