80 Characterization of Micronized Rubber Powders

Thursday, October 13, 2011: 8:00 AM
Meeting Room #16 (The I-X Center)
Tom Rosenmayer, PhD, Frank Papp and Ravi Ayyer, PhD, Lehigh Technologies, Inc., Tucker, GA
Micronized Rubber Powder (MRP) is classified as dry, powdered elastomer in which a significant proportion of particles are less than 100 microns.  It is used as a compound extender to offset the spiraling prices of natural and synthetic virgin rubber materials.  MRP is typically made from cured elastomer feedstock via a cryogenic process at a temperature below the Tg of the polymer.  A better understanding of MRP surface properties is needed to facilitate efforts to utilize the material as a high value, sustainable material for use in various industrial and consumer rubber products.  An update on MRP characterization is presented, including surface morphology by SEM, surface chemistry by XPS, surface area by Kr BET, and particle size distribution by laser diffraction.  An example is given that demonstrates how the surface chemistry can be used to explain the effect of MRP on cure and physical properties in rubber compounds.