Mechanical properties of tire reclaimed rubber/NR blends: Effect of blend ratios.

The effects of different ratios of tire reclaimed rubber (TRR) and natural rubber (NR) on mechanical properties (tensile, tear, hardness and abrasion) were studied. The blends of TRR/NR (30/70, 50/50/ 70/30 and 80/20) were prepared by internal mixer and laboratory two-roll mill according to the standard. It is important to describe the mechanical properties of the samples as it provides the safety aspect of material specially those used in buildings, bridges and structural supports. The tensile strength, modulus and elongation at break of the blends were ascribed in tensile testing with the standard of ISO 37. The ability of reclaimed rubber blends to withstand force under tearing condition was measured by crescent tear test (ISO 34) and the resistance of material towards indentation force applied was tested by hardness (ISO 48). Abrasion resistance used to measure the volumetric loss of the blends when the samples is exposed to mechanical action (ISO 4649). The result showed that the addition of reclaimed rubber decreased the tensile strength and elongation at break. While the modulus at 100, hardness and abrasion properties increases with increasing reclaimed ratio. The ratio of 30/70 showed the best mechanical properties compared to the other blend ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]