|
Abstract:
|
Mechanical properties and thermal degradation of natural rubber compounds
containing castor oil were studied to evaluate its suitability as plasticizer.
Naphthenic oil was used as a reference plasticizer. The cure time was marginally
lower in the case of castor oil mixes, probably due to the presence offree fatty acids
in it. The tear strength and modulus were better in the case of mixes containing
castor oil, while most of the other mechanical properties were comparable to
the mixes containing naphthenic oil. The heat build up and compression set were
higher than that of the naphthenic oil mixes. Thermal studies showed an increase
of 8 °C in the temperature of initiation of degradation and an increase of 6 °C in
the temperature at which the peak rate of degradation occurred. The peak rate
of degradation was comparable to that of the reference compound |