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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Plant Polymer Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #378075
Research Project: Agricultural-Feedstock Derived Biobased Particles

Location: Plant Polymer Research

Title: Mechanical properties of rubber reinforced with silica and hydrolyzed carbohydrate/protein fillers

Author
item Jong, Lei

Submitted to: Journal of Rubber Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2021
Publication Date: 8/3/2021
Citation: Jong, L. 2021. Mechanical properties of rubber reinforced with silica and hydrolyzed carbohydrate/protein fillers. Journal of Rubber Research. 24:523-531. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-021-00119-2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-021-00119-2

Interpretive Summary: To explore the potential of using soy based products for rubber applications, both performance and cost have to be studied. We have previously used soy protein in silica reinforced rubber and obtained good mechanical properties. In this study, we used a lower cost material composed of soy carbohydrate and soy protein in silica reinforced rubber and studied its mechanical properties. The results show that our soy carbohydrate/protein mixture can be used to replace 30% of silica filler and still maintain similar mechanical properties, but with a reduced cost. This research increases the potential of using soy based materials in rubber applications and create new markets for soybean growers and processors.

Technical Abstract: Rubbers reinforced with silica filler are used in many applications. This study explores the effect of carbohydrate/protein (CP) mixture on the silica reinforced natural rubber. Silica partially replaced with CP filler increases the curing rate and crosslink density, but also increases the extent of reversion after 100% cure. Compared to the rubber reinforced with silica filler, the rubber with 30% CP and 70% silica has comparable tensile properties. The comparison of storage moduli in the glassy region indicates silica has a greater interaction with rubber than CP particles. In the rubbery region, the CP composites have a greater thermal stability over a wide temperature range than the silica reinforced rubber. The reinforcement factor indicates that the reinforcement mechanism is different with the inclusion of CP particles in the rubber. The loss tangent measurements indicate the addition of CP particles to silica reinforced rubber reduces rolling resistance of tires. Stress softening effect shows that the inclusion of CP particles increases storage modulus stability against cyclic dynamic strain when compared to silica reinforced rubber.