Use epoxidized natural rubber as coupling agent for reinforcement calcium carbonate filled natural rubber

Abstract

The reduction of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) particle was prepared by wet grinding method with 40% dispersion. The particle sizes of CaCO3 were studied with various time of wet grinding. It was found that the particle sizes of CaCO3 rapidly decreased in 3 day of grinding, after that it was slightly reduce. Therefore, the CaCO3 at various time of wet grinding were mixed with concentrate latex (60% dry rubber content, DRC). The result showed that the wet grinding for 2 days provided the superior machanical properties. In addition, the compound with epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) as a coupling agent was investigated. It was found that the 5 phr of 30% mole percent of ENR results in significantly improved mechanical properties of the rubber vulcanizates.