Effect of Recycled Nitrile Glove (rNBRg) Particle Sizes on Curing Characteristics and Physical Properties of Natural Rubber/Styrene Butadiene Rubber/Recycled Nitrile Glove (NR/SBR/rNBRg) Blends

Effects of different particle sizes of recycled nitrile glove (rNBRg) on curing characteristics and physical properties of natural rubber/styrene butadiene rubber/recycled nitrile glove (NR/SBR/rNBRg) blends were studied. The particle sizes of rNBRg were differentiated by the method of producing. S1 was obtained by cutting the rNBRg (whole glove) into smaller sheet; S2 was obtained by passing rNBRg through 2 rolls mill for 10 times; S3 was obtained by passing rNBRg through 2 rolls mill for 10 times and then mechanically grinded. NR/SBR/rNBRg blends were prepared at 50/30/20 composition using two roll mill at room temperature, with different particle sizes, rNBRg (S1), rNBRg (S2) and rNBRg (S3). Scorch time, cure time, minimum torque, maximum torque, crosslink density and hardness of the blends were examined. Results indicated that scorch time, cure time and minimum torque decreased as the rNBRg particle size decreased, while maximum torque and crosslink density increased. The rigidity of NR/SBR/rNBRg blends increased when smaller rNBRg particles were used, which explained the increased in hardness and decreased in resilience of the blends.