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Nondestructive testing of defects in adhesive joints

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Use <strong>of</strong> deprote<strong>in</strong>ized and normal skim rubbers for property improvement<br />

<strong>in</strong> natural rubber<br />

K. Mariamma George*, Rosamma Alex, Sal<strong>in</strong>i K.S and K.T. Thomas<br />

Rubber Research Institute <strong>of</strong> India, Rubber Board, Kottayam -9, India<br />

Email: *mariamma@rubberboard.org.<strong>in</strong>, mgpattani@yahoo.co.<strong>in</strong><br />

Abstract<br />

Skim rubber is the rubber recovered from skim latex, which is obta<strong>in</strong>ed as a by-product<br />

dur<strong>in</strong>g the centrifugal concentration <strong>of</strong> natural rubber (NR) latex. Blend<strong>in</strong>g skim rubber with natural<br />

rubber is a method <strong>of</strong> tak<strong>in</strong>g advantage <strong>of</strong> the relatively low price <strong>of</strong> skim rubber while m<strong>in</strong>imiz<strong>in</strong>g its<br />

disadvantages. In addition, it seems possible that <strong>in</strong> such blends the fast cur<strong>in</strong>g characteristics <strong>of</strong> the<br />

skim can be utilized. We have exam<strong>in</strong>ed the cure behaviour and technological properties on add<strong>in</strong>g 20<br />

p.h.r (parts per hundred rubber) each <strong>of</strong> deprote<strong>in</strong>ized skim rubber (DPSR) and normal skim rubber to<br />

ISNR 20 without further addition <strong>of</strong> curatives and compar<strong>in</strong>g the properties to that <strong>of</strong> a similar ISNR<br />

20 mix. Two cure systems, one which conta<strong>in</strong> usual dosage <strong>of</strong> accelerator and antioxidant and the<br />

other system which conta<strong>in</strong> comparatively lower level <strong>of</strong> accelerator without any antioxidant were<br />

studied. In the former case, the cure characteristics showed that there is atta<strong>in</strong>ment <strong>of</strong> good level <strong>of</strong><br />

cure and cure rate even after addition <strong>of</strong> 20 p.h.r skim rubber or DPSR to ISNR 20 with no extra<br />

curatives, compared to the conventional ISNR 20 mix. Also the ISNR 20 vulcanizate and the<br />

vulcanizate conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g additional 20 parts <strong>of</strong> skim rubber showed comparable values <strong>of</strong> moduli,<br />

tensile strength, tear strength and abrasion resistance and these values were higher than that observed<br />

for ISNR 20 vulcanizate conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g 20 parts DPSR. Skim rubber <strong>in</strong>corporated mix showed a slightly<br />

higher resistance to crack <strong>in</strong>itiation and crack failure when compared to ISNR 20 mix. Blend which<br />

conta<strong>in</strong> 20 parts DPSR showed slightly better dynamic properties and improved air age<strong>in</strong>g<br />

characteristics as compared to normal skim rubber. For the mixes which conta<strong>in</strong> lower level <strong>of</strong><br />

curatives, cure characteristics were comparable but the values were lower than that which conta<strong>in</strong> the<br />

usual dosage. Same trend was observed for the mechanical properties and age<strong>in</strong>g characteristics. The<br />

study has shown that <strong>in</strong>corporation <strong>of</strong> 20 parts skim rubber or deprote<strong>in</strong>ized skim rubber to ISNR 20<br />

imparts cure characteristics and mechanical properties similar to that atta<strong>in</strong>ed by ISNR 20 without the<br />

<strong>in</strong>corporation <strong>of</strong> additional curatives.<br />

Introduction<br />

Skim rubber is obta<strong>in</strong>ed by the coagulation <strong>of</strong> skim latex, the secondary fraction <strong>of</strong> natural<br />

rubber latex, from the centrifugal concentration process. The process<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> skim latex has many<br />

associated problems due to the peculiar physical and chemical characteristics <strong>of</strong> the same and is an<br />

issue <strong>of</strong> environmental concern. Skim latex has very low dry rubber content (4-8%) and rubber<br />

particles are smaller <strong>in</strong> size with high specific surface area 1, 2 . It has higher proportion <strong>of</strong> non-rubber<br />

solids which is mostly prote<strong>in</strong>aceous <strong>in</strong> nature. It is difficult to coagulate skim latex 3 and there is<br />

considerable loss <strong>in</strong> skim rubber dur<strong>in</strong>g process<strong>in</strong>g. Acid coagulation and auto coagulation are used to<br />

recover rubber from skim latex 4 . To improve the raw rubber properties <strong>of</strong> skim rubber, attempts have<br />

been made by deprote<strong>in</strong>ization us<strong>in</strong>g certa<strong>in</strong> enzymes 5 and subsequent cream<strong>in</strong>g 6 <strong>of</strong> skim latex. The<br />

proteolytic enzyme stabilized liquid papa<strong>in</strong> used for deprote<strong>in</strong>ization followed by cream<strong>in</strong>g results <strong>in</strong><br />

quick and easy coagulation <strong>of</strong> skim latex 7 . The type and high level <strong>of</strong> non-rubbers present <strong>in</strong> the skim<br />

rubber give rise to scorchy cure and generally give vulcanizates <strong>of</strong> high modulus. The latter can be<br />

considered to arise at least <strong>in</strong> part due to the prote<strong>in</strong> present <strong>in</strong> the rubber act<strong>in</strong>g as a re<strong>in</strong>forc<strong>in</strong>g filler<br />

and participation <strong>in</strong> the cur<strong>in</strong>g process. Despite these adverse features, skim rubber has low dirt<br />

content, <strong>of</strong>ten accompanied by light colour and relatively low cost. Blend<strong>in</strong>g skim rubber with natural<br />

rubber is a method <strong>of</strong> tak<strong>in</strong>g advantage <strong>of</strong> the relatively low price <strong>of</strong> skim rubber while m<strong>in</strong>imiz<strong>in</strong>g its<br />

disadvantages. In addition, it seems possible that <strong>in</strong> such blends the fast cur<strong>in</strong>g characteristics <strong>of</strong> the<br />

skim can be utilized 8 .

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