Taraxacum Kok-Saghyz (Russian Dandelion): An Alternative to Hevea Natural Rubber

Taraxacum kok-saghyz (Russian Dandelion): An alternative to Hevea Natural Rubber

Dr. Arif Omer Gozen and Dr. Amy Randall

Bridgestone Americas Center for Research and Technology, Akron, OH, USA

Taraxacum kok-saghyz (TKS), commonly referred as Russian Dandelion has shown a revised interest due to its potential to produce of high quality rubber from its roots as an alternative source of natural rubber. In this study we have focused on investigating the TKS plant through various analytical methods in order to identify its morphology, physical and chemical properties (i) as harvested from the fields, and (ii) after purification. After removing the cellulose and the fiber content through purification methods the purified TKS rubber was compounded in an all carbon black formulation and cured under specific conditions. Mechanical performance of the compounded “purified” TKS was compared to those of Hevea natural rubber via dynamic and tensile testing.