Enhancements in cure rate index and mechanical properties of silica-filled natural rubber using octadecanol-fatty alcohol

The enhancements in cure rate index and mechanical/tensile properties of natural rubber (NR) filled with silica because of the addition of octadecanol (OCD)-fatty alcohol (FA) were investigated. The silica as a reinforcing filler was compounded into the NR at a fixed loading, 30 parts per hundred rubber (phr.). The OCD-FA was derived from the oil of palm kernel and compounded into the NR as an additive agent. The loading variations of OCD-FA were 0 to 4 phr. It was found that the OCD-FA functioned as a curative and plasticizing agent for the silica-filled NR compounds. As a co-curing agent, the OCD-FA enhanced the time of scorches and cure rate index-CRI of the compounds of NR. A higher the OCD-FA loading caused in a higher CRI degree. As a plasticizing agent, the OCD-FA decreased tensile moduli but increased elongation at break. It was also found that the OCD-FA increased both tensile strength and abrasion resistance of the compounds of NR up to a 2 phr. of loading. The addition of OCD-FA with a 2 phr. of was an optimum loading for the compounds of NR.