IJSRP, Volume 5, Issue 4, April 2015 Edition [ISSN 2250-3153]
Iheoma .C. Chukwujike, Odo, Jerome .U., Gina .O. Ihekweme
Abstract:
The influences of carbonized /uncarbonized cornhub powder on the vulcanizate properties of natural rubber/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber have been studied. The filler used in this work was corn hub powder. Filler loading used was 0-30 wt. % at two particle sizes (0.1µm and 0.15µm). Results show that the tensile strength, abrasion resistance, hardness and modulus of elasticity all increased with increase in filler loadings at the two particle sizes investigated, while flex fatigue, rebound resilience, elongation at break and compression set all decreased with increase in filler loadings at the two particle sizes investigated. The study shows that particle size and the nature of filler have a lot to play on the effectiveness of the filler in polymer composites. The smaller sized filler showed improved mechanical properties due to better filler-matrix interaction. The result therefore proved that corn hub can be used as alternative filler for elastomers where strength and hardness are required.