Influence of gamma irradiation on the properties of some synthetic rubber-based filler composites

Abstract

Hybrid composites of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) with waste rubber ash (WRA) were prepared in the laboratory by two-roll mill, then moulded using compression mould (160°C) to form test samples. Gamma radiation at different doses ranged (0 up to 150 kGy) has been applied to desire curing for NBR composites that loaded by reinforcement untreated filler (WRA) or surface treated by both acrylate and silane as coupling agents 5– 40 phr. The ash powder was characterized by FTIR and XRD. Tensile, elongation and hardness of parameters the composites were investigated with various feed ratio of WRA at variable gamma radiation doses. The thermal stability of a variety of composites was done using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show that the waste rubber ash and irradiation of composite improve its thermal stability and its tensile strength.

Keywords: NBR; waste rubber ash, gamma radiation; physical properties