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Polymer Congress 2018 Polymer Sciences
ISSN: 2471-9935 Page 83
June 04-05, 2018
London, UK
4th Edition of International Conference on
Polymer Science and
Technology
T he physiochemical modification of natural rubber latex
(NRL) is achieved via the addition of finely dispersed
reinforcing fillers (RFs) and chemical ingredients. In recent
times, single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) have shown
great prospect as a suitable RF for NRL even at very low
loadings; compared to conventional RFs such as carbon black
and fine particle clays. Although SWCNT are generally insoluble
in water, optimized dispersions are often prepared via various
physiochemical treatments which promotes the exfoliation
of the otherwise entangled SWCNT. Chemical modification
(covalent methods) involves the introduction of functional
groups on the surfaces of SWCNT. Whereas, physical treatment
(non-covalent methods) often utilise surfactant systems with a
relatively high Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB). It is thus
pertinent to elucidate how the incorporation of dispersed
SWCNT affects the flow behaviour of NRL. This is because,
the flow behaviour of NRL plays a huge role during storage,
handling and processing. In this work, the flow behaviour of
NRL/SWCNT blends prepared via the latex stage mix method
have been investigated. Flow behaviour was studied according
to the principles of rotational viscometry on aModular Compact
Rheometer (MCR) fitted with a concentric cylinder geometric
measuring system. The experimental conditions involved
the exposure of blends to varying shear rates (0.1 –100 s-1)
at three isothermal temperatures (25, 30 and 35°C); this was
based on the probable conditions during storage, handling and
processing of rubber lattices. Results obtained revealed high
apparent viscosity at low shear rates for samples with higher
loadings of SWCNTs. For Instance, viscosity at 25°C and 1 s-1
of blends with 0.08% SWCNT was 2.5 Pa.s whilst that with
0.02% loading 0.49 Pa.s. Again, characteristic shear thinning
behaviour was observed, which was confirmed by the power
law model fits.
A study of the flow behaviour of natural rubber latex/
singlewalled carbon nanotubes blends using rotational
viscometry and power law model
Victor Chike Agbakoba and Percy Hlangothi
Nelson Mandela University, South Africa
Polym Sci 2018, Volume 4
DOI: 10.4172/2471-9935-C2-012