Nondestructive testing of defects in adhesive joints
Nondestructive testing of defects in adhesive joints
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 .