Effects of alkanolamide addition on cure characteristics, crosslink density and tensile properties of carbon-black-filled styrene-butadiene rubber compounds

Abstract

By using a semi-efficient sulphur vulcanisation system, the effects of alkanolamide (ALK) addition on cure characteristics, crosslink density and tensile properties of carbon black (CB)-filled styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) compounds were investigated. The ALK was prepared from Refined Bleached Deodorized Palm Stearin and diethanolamine and added into the CB-filled SBR compounds. The ALK loadings were 1.0, 3.0, 5.0 and 7.0 phr. It was found that ALK decreased the scorch and cure times of the CB-filled SBR compounds. ALK also improved the tensile modulus and tensile strength; especially up to a 5.0 phr of loading. The crosslink density measurement proved that the 5.0 phr of ALK exhibited the highest degree of crosslink density which caused the highest in tensile modulus and tensile strength. Due to its plasticity effect, ALK increased the elongation at break of the CB-filled SBR vulcanisates.