Effect of H3PO4 Activated Molasses Carbon on Properties of Natural Rubber

Abstract

Molasses which is a by-product of sugar production process or agricultural wastes. In this research, molasses was used as a filler in natural rubber (NR). Initially, molasses carbon (MC) was prepared from molasses. Obtained MC was then activated with H3PO4 at ratio 1:4. From the results, it was found the surface roughness of the H3PO4 activated MC are enhanced when compared with unmodified MC. H3PO4 activated MC was used as filler in NR with the amount of 10 phr. It was found that incorporate H3PO4 activated MC in NR increases in cure time of NR. Additionally, both tensile strength and swelling resistance of H3PO4 activated MC filled with NR vulcanizates are improved when compared with NR filled with unmodified MC. However, mechanical properties of H3PO4 activated MC filled with NR vulcanizate is not better than that filled with carbon black.