ARS | Publication request: A POTENTIAL BIODEGRADABLE RUBBER -- VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF A SOYBEAN OIL BASED COMPOSITE

Submitted to: Society of Rheology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 25, 2001
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The linear viscoelastic properties of a new biomaterial made by Epoxidized Soybean Oil (ESO) were investigated at 150 deg C. ESO cross-linked by Triethylene Glycol Diamine exhibited strong viscoelastic solid properties. The storage moduli (G') was 2x10**4 Pa over four frequency decades. The phase shifts were 14-18 degrees. Stress relaxation measurements showed that there was no relaxation up to 500 seconds. From plateau modulus we estimated that the molecular weight of cross-linked soybean oil was in the order of 10**5. The composites of cross-linked ESO with three different fibers had 15-50 times higher elasticity (G') than that without fiber. Phase shifts were the same as cross-linked oil without fibers. But the linear range of rheological properties was much narrower than that of the material without fibers. The rheological properties and molecular weight of this biomaterial are very similar to those of synthetic rubbers such as polyisoprene, polyvinyl ethylene and polybutadiene, etc. These results implied that this biomaterial has high potential to replace some of the synthetic rubbers and/or plastics.