Concentration Effect of Palm Oil Fatty Acid on Curing Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Carbon Black Filled Natural Rubber Compounds

The concentration effect of palm oil fatty acid on curing characteristics and mechanical properties of carbon black filled natural rubber compounds was investigated. Results indicate that maximum torque increases with palm oil fatty acid concentration for all carbon black loadings investigated. Natural rubber compounds with 50 phr of carbon black show highest maximum torque. Scorch time and cure time (t 90) also increased with increasing palm oil fatty acid concentration which indicates that this acid has retardation effect on vulcanization. Tensile modulus and hardness increased with increasing acid concentration while tensile and tear strength pass through a maximum.