Effect of Grit Type, Aging Temperature, and Aging Time on Particle size of Ground Natural Rubber/Zeolite Composite Powder

摘要

This study reports the results of investigation on the main and interaction effects of grit type, aging temperature, and aging time on particle size of ground natural rubber/zeolite (GNR/Z) composite powder using general factorial design of experiment. GNR/Z composite powder produced by mechanical grinding is porous, like an aggregated chain structure. These aggregates exist in clusters of irregular shape. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows that the effects of aging temperature and aging time depend on the particle size range. GNR/Z composite powder with large particle size is produced when aging is done at low temperature and short time due to high resistance of rubber to oxidation. On the other hand, GNR/Z composite powder with small particle size is produced when aging is done at low or high temperature and longer aging time. Low temperature condition offers high O_2 concentration available to oxidize rubber while high temperature condition leads to more chain scissions due to higher oxidation rate.