Performance characteristics and analysis of tailored Natural Rubber/Organo-kaolin Composites

Natural Rubber/Organo-kaolin composites with mechanical properties tailored to meet specific structural requirements were developed from Natural Rubber and Kaolin intercalates obtained from derivatives of rubber seed oils (Hevea brasiliensis) and tea seed oils (Camellia sinensis). The kaolin intercalation process was achieved in the presence of hydrazine hydrate. Performance characteristics and analysis of the composites were conducted using tensile test, tear resistance test, De-Mattia flex fatigue test and scanning electron microscopy. Modulus of resilience and modulus of toughness were the major performance criteria evaluated in the study. The modulus of toughness were obtained as follows for the composites: Natural Rubber/Tea Seed Oil modified kaolin composites at 6 phr filler loading as 174.54 MPa; Natural Rubber/Rubber seed oil modified kaolin composites at 10 phr filler loading as 107.64 MPa; Natural Rubber/Unmodified kaolin composites at 2 phr filler loading as 67.27 MPa. The most resilient of the composites investigated was found to be Natural Rubber/Unmodified kaolin composites at 10 phr filler loading with a value 54.63 MPa and the least resilient was found to be Natural Rubber/Tea seed oil modified kaolin composites at 10 phr filler loading with a value 0.27 MPa.