Recycling of dichlorocarbene modified and reclaimed natural rubber rejects in polypropylene

Abstract

The various properties of unmodified polypropylene-containing reclaimed natural rubber prophylactics (RLW) in comparison to chemically modified [maleic anhydride (MA-PP) and phenolic (Ph-PP)] polypropylene-containing dichlorocarbene-modified natural rubber prophylactics (CILW) have been presented. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis (FTIR), chlorine content determination, glass transition temperature, and thermogravimetric analysis has been used to evaluate the dichlorocarbene modification of natural rubber prophylactics, while the characterization of chemically modified polypropylene has been done by FTIR analysis. The results of the study reveal that higher mechanical properties are obtained in the case of phenolic-modified polypropylene containing CILW. On the other hand, better impact properties have been observed in the case of unmodified polypropylene filled with RLW. X-ray diffraction studies have indicated the absence of rubber particles in the intrasepherullitic regions of polypropylene. Copyright © Taylor & Francis, Inc.