Application of NR gloves reclaim: Cure and mechanical properties of NR/reclaim rubber blends

摘要

Reclamation of waste natural rubber gloves is carried out by mechano-chemical process using MBTS as reclaiming agent. The reclaim rubber is later blended with a virgin natural rubber at various blend ratios. The cure behavior and mechanical properties of the re-vulcanized blends are evaluated in comparison to the properties profile of the virgin materials. A significant increase in revulcanization rate is observed with increasing reclaim rubber contents. This property is most likely a consequence of the presence of active functional sites in the reclaim rubber. Additionally, the maximum torque as well as a torque difference increase with increasing reclaims rubber contents which are attributed to an increase in crosslink density of the blends. Moreover, the crosslink density also plays a major role in mechanical properties of the NR/reclaim rubber blends.