In this experiment, we have used natural rubber, Sulphur, zinc oxide, steric

acid, n-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazolesulfenamide (CBS) and N-Phenyl-beta-

naphthylamine (NONOX) for non-fillers compound and we have added carbon black
to the filled compound. Processing start from mastication and end with
vulcanization process by molding in a hot press. The most important parameter in
processing is flow. The study of flow behavior is known as rheology.
The most common parameter used to assess flow behavior is viscosity. If the
compounds viscosity is too high, it makes processability difficult and might end up
with poor knitting and poor finishing surface because the flow is poor. If the
viscosity of the rubber compound is too low, then it would lead to excessive flow
which may affect processability such as sticking of rubber compound to mill roll.
Besides that, variation in viscosity would produce uneven extrudate profile as a
consequence of variation in extrudate swell. From the mooney viscosity test, the
filled compound was gradually dropped while non-filler compound was rapidly
dropped after 4 minutes.
The cure characteristic of rubber compound was investigated using
Oscillating Disc Rheometer (ODR). This new model were claimed to reduce testing
time while still maintaining precision and accuracy of the test and hence increase
the productivity of the rheometer. Using this machine, we have determined the
induction period of scorch time which determine the processing safety. The optimum
cure time was defined as the time required to produce optimum physical properties
for the vulcanized rubber.
For the non-filler compound, the minimum torque (M L) is 11 dNm, maximum
torque (MH) is 42 dNm, Tc90 is 38.9 dNm and the cure rate index is 2.67 dNm. For
the filled compound, the minimum torque (M L) is 12 dNm, the maximum torque (M H)
51.4 dNm, Tc90 is 47.46 dNm and the cure rate index is 2.15 dNm. This show that
the time taken for the filled compound to cure is faster than non-filler compound.
The cure rate index (CRI) was calculated using follows equation:
CRI = 100/t90 tc
Where: Tc90 = (MH -ML) 0.9 + ML
Rubber is reinforced with carbon black to improve the end use performance
associated with the increased modulus, abrasion resistance and ultimate properties
(tear and tensile strength). The carbon black affect the physical properties of rubber
depending on particle size and the loading level.