Mechanical properties and thermal degradation characteristics of natural rubber compounds
captaining coconut oil were compared with that of a control compound containing naphthenic oil.
Cure time was marginally lower in the case of coconut oil mixes, probably due to the presence of
free fatty acids. Tensile strength , tear strength, resilience and abrasion resistance were better than
the naphthenic oil-based compounds . Compression set and hardness were marginally inferior
The coconut oil mixes had a crosslink density comparable to that of the reference compound.
Thermal studies showed that the temperature of initiation of degradation was increased by 10°C
and the temperature at which the peak rate of degradation occured was increased by 7°C. The
peak rate of degradation was compa rable to the control compound.