Marcin Masłowski*, Justyna Miedzianowska and Krzysztof Strzelec
Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.7, pp. 746-754, 2018, DOI:10.32604/JRM.2018.00121
Abstract Novel elastomer biocomposites based on straw fibers (raw or chemically modified) as reinforcing elements of natural rubber (NR) were reported and studied. Oat straw fibres with different average lengths were used. Lignocellulose materials were incorporated into the elastomer, before and after chemical surface modification involving sodium hydroxide. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and microscopy techniques were employed for characterization of fillers. The kinetics of rubber mixtures, as well as rheometric properties of compounds were determined. The cross-linking density was executed on the basis of equilibrium solvent-swelling measurements applying the modified Flory–Rehner equation. The morphology of More >