The properties of composites based on NR/CSM rubber blend and waste rubber powder

The use of reclaiming scrap waste rubber is of great ecological interest due to its significant influence to the environment. Powdered waste rubber (WRP) can be used as a filler in mixtures with rubbers, thermoplastics, and as modifiers for asphalt. In this work the composites based on natural rubber (NR) and chlorosufonated polyethylene (CSM) filled with different content of WRP were prepared on a laboratory-size two-roll mixing mill. The curing by sulfur was done at 160o C. The mechanical properties, namely tensile strength, tensile modulus at 100% elongation, elongation at break and hardness have been followed up as a function of irradiation dose (100; 200; 300; 400 kGy), as well as waste rubber powder content (0; 20; 40; 60; 80; 100 phr). It was assessed that the addition of 20 phr waste rubber has improved the properties of obtained elastomeric materials. The improvement of composites mechanical properties is in correlation with homogeneous WRP distribution which has been assigned by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).