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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 #356771
Research Project: Renewable Biobased Particles

Location: Plant Polymer Research

Title: Improved mechanical properties of silica reinforced rubber with natural polymer

Author
item Jong, Lei

Submitted to: Polymer Testing
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2019
Publication Date: 7/22/2019
Citation: Jong, L. 2019. Improved mechanical properties of silica reinforced rubber with natural polymer. Polymer Testing. 79. Article 106009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2019.106009.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2019.106009

Interpretive Summary: Silica has been used in rubber to increase its strength and save energy when the rubber is used as tire treads. Use of materials derived from soybean can expand new uses of soybean and will increase the economic prosperity of soybean related agricultural business. We have researched and developed new use of soybean derived particles to increase the strength and energy saving feature of silica reinforced rubber. This new application has potential to consume more soybeans and therefore increases the value of soybean and natural rubber. This development will economically benefit soybean and natural rubber related commerce.

Technical Abstract: Silica reinforced elastomers are widely used in various rubber applications. Natural protein polymer improves the mechanical properties of silica reinforced rubber. The improvement is demonstrated in three systems including silica, silane added silica and silane coated silica rubber composites. The tensile strength shows a maximum with an optimum amount of protein and the modulus increases with increasing amount of protein. The curing time decreased and crosslink density increased with increasing loading of hydrolyzed protein. The alkaline protein is able to reduce the negative effect of acidic silica on vulcanization. The hydrolyzed protein/silica composites show an increase in filler reinforcement through the increase of total crosslinks from chemical and physical crosslinks. Hydrolyzed protein also exhibit ability in reducing loss tangent compared to silica particles for damping applications. Thermal stability study indicates the composites are stable up to 200 deg C in air. Current study shows a complementary effect of silica and hydrolyzed protein in rubber.