Development of high performance microcrystalline cellulose based natural rubber composites using maleated natural rubber as compatibilizer

The main goal of the present work was to enhance the interfacial interaction between natural rubber (NR) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) using maleated natural rubber (MNR) as compatibilizer. The effect of MNR loading on the cure, mechanical and thermal properties of NR/MCC composites was studied. The variation in the crosslink density, solvent uptake and morphological properties was also analyzed to explain the properties of NR/MCC composites. Significant improvement in the maximum rheometric torque, modulus and tensile strength was observed for NR composite containing 5 phr (parts per hundred of rubber) MCC along with 10 phr MNR in comparison to NR composite containing only 5 phr MCC. The tensile strength increased by 62.52% for NR/MCC composite in presence of 10 phr MNR as compatibilizer in comparison to NR-gum. Thermogravimetric analysis showed the enhancement in thermal stability of NR/MCC composite due to addition of MNR. A mechanism is suggested to describe the interaction of MNR with both NR and MCC.