Abstract:
Rubber properties and applications are essentially affected by rubber molecular structures. Nowadays, new technologies can be used to synthesize different butadiene rubber (BR) structures, such as 1,2 and 1,4 contents, linear and branching structures, unimodal and bimodal molecular weight distributions, etc. In this research, effects of BR structures in NR/BR blends (70/30 and 60/40) were studied. The objective was to seek for outstanding properties, especially mechanical and dynamic properties in order to use as rubber plucking fingers. Rubber compounds were mixed by using an internal mixer and shaped into sheet samples by a compression molding machine. Factors affecting rubber properties were studied, e.g., contents of 1,2 BR (0.0-17.0 %wt), linear and branching structures, molecular weight distributions (MWD) (unimodal and bimodal distributions) and types of fillers (carbon black N330, silica Hisil®255 and Sidistar®). It was found that mechanical properties were insignificantly different when different contents of 1,2 BR were used. However, Mooney viscosity, modulus at 100%, 300%, hardness and cure time were increased with increasing 1,2 BR. Ross flex and De Mattia flex cracking resistances were improved dramatically when 3.8 %wt of 1,2 BR was used. Mooney viscosity, cure characteristics and mechanical properties were negligibly different when different polymer structures of BR were used. Although, Linear BR enhanced Ross flex and De Mattia flex cracking resistances compared to those of branching BR. Mooney viscosity, cure characteristics and mechanical properties were insignificantly different when different MWDs of BR were used. Nevertheless, Ross flex and De Mattia flex cracking resistances of bimodal BR increased as compared to those of unimodal one. Mooney viscosity, cure characteristics, mechanical and dynamic properties were unchanged when different ratios of NR/BR were used. Moreover, using rubbers with carbon black N330 and silica Sidistar® enhanced Ross flex and De Mattia flex cracking resistances as compared to those of rubbers with carbon black N330, carbon black N330 and silica Hisil®255. However, mechanical properties of rubbers with carbon black N330 and silica Hisil®255 were enhanced as compared to those of rubbers with carbon black N330, carbon black N330 and silica Sidistar®.