Extracted silica from Cymbopogancitratus (lemon grass) as a novel silica in vulcanized natural rubber latex prepared

Abstract

Extracted silica from cymbopogancitratus (lemongrass) was used as novel filler for vulcanized natural rubber latex. Whereas silica sand and titanium dioxide was chosen for as comparison filler with extracted filler. In this study, the filler filled latex compounding is prepared in 4 filler loading (0, 3, 6 ,9phr) for each types of filler. Mechanical, fracture surface morphology, crosslink density and mechanical stability were done for all the different filler loading and different types of filler filled latex films. The best mechanical properties and crosslink density showed by 9phr extracted lemongrass silica filled latex film. For filled loading investigation, 9phr always the best for mechanical properties except 9 phr silica sand filled latex film, this is due to poor filler dispersion leading to agglomeration of filler. However, viscosity and mechanical stability of these filled latex compound was decrease and as filler loading increase. Fracture surface morphology showed there were more void on low filler loading filled latex film and agglomeration of 9phr silica sand filled latex film.