Comparison of different types of dispersing agent on mechanical properties of natural rubber latex films
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Date
2017-06
Authors
Neo, En Pei
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Abstract
The arising of rubber waste disposal problem in the landfill has encouraged incorporation of bio-material filler such as sago starch into the natural rubber (NR) latex films to facilitate the biodegradation process. The distribution of the sago dispersion in NR latex films could help to accelerate the biodegradation. In order to promote well distribution, surfactants were added into the sago dispersion to enhance separation between particles and prevent settling or agglomeration by adsorption at the interface to lower the surface energy or interfacial tension. The objective of this study was to characterise the performance of different types of surfactants (Anchoid and Nonyl Phenol) to assess its use as potential dispersing agents in sago starch dispersions. The effect of different dispersing agent loading on particle size and mechanical properties of NR latex films were investigated. The amount of dispersing agent was varied at three different loading, 4%, 5% and 6% by weight relative to water content to assess the optimum amount of dispersing agent. The results revealed that 5% dispersing agent produced the most stable dispersion in terms of particle size and repulsive energy between particles of dispersion. It was also found that the mass loss is higher for biodegradable NR latex films that were compounded with Anchoid-loaded filler dispersion and the films showed better biodegradability. The optimum ball milling time for sago dispersion preparation is 18 hours. Further increase in ball milling time would resulted in decrease of stability due to agglomeration of starch particles. Other than that, it was found that leaching process increased the mechanical properties due to removal of non-rubber substances such that improve latex particles interaction. In contrast, as expected ageing process decreased the mechanical properties as it was thermal degradation process.