Evaluation of Spent Bleaching Earth As Filler for Rubber

Spent bleaching earth (SBE) has been evaluated as filler in natural rubber.  SBE was added to natural rubber and the filler loading was varied from 0 to 40phr.  The curing characteristics of the compounds were studied by using the Mosanto MDR 2000 rheometer while the mechanical properties of the vulcanizates were investigated. SBE had little or no effect on the curing characteristics of the compounds into which it was incorporated.   The tensile strength, elongation at break, and tear strength obtained showed that properties deteriorated and scanning electron microscopy was used to study the microstructure of the fracture surfaces.