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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 #240981
Title: Evaluating Waste Charcoal as Potential Rubber Composite Filler

Author
item Peterson, Steven - Steve

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2009
Publication Date: 8/20/2009
Citation: Peterson, S.C. 2009. Evaluating Waste Charcoal as Potential Rubber Composite Filler. Meeting Abstract. ENVR 174; Tech 167.

Interpretive Summary: abstract

Technical Abstract: Carbon black, a byproduct of the petroleum industry, is the world's most predominant filler for rubber composites. In this study, charcoal in the form of pyrolyzed agricultural products was evaluated as potential carbon-based filler for rubber composites made with carboxylated styrene-butadiene latex. This source of carbon is not dependent on the petroleum industry and (for two of the three samples) is a waste byproduct of a renewable biofuel process. Charcoal samples were ball milled, resulting in particle sizes of roughly 1 micron (based on number distribution; approximately 3-12 microns based on volume distribution). Composites were created using a method consisting of freeze-drying followed by compression molding to form bars that were tested rheologically. Charcoal filled composites showed reinforcement factors of up to 50 times greater than the unfilled latex.