Use of Rice Husk and Phenols Extracted from it as Filler and Antioxidant Respectively in, Vulcanization Studies of NR

In the present study, the rice husk is used as filler in natural rubber (NR) to observe its reinforcing effect on the rubber vulcanization. The effect of variation of particle size and of filler loading is investigated. The results of the study indicated that much reinforcement i ~ not obtained by the incorporation of husk in different formulations. When used in smaller particle size, however, some reinforcement effect is noticed. This effect can further be increased by incorporation of resorcinol and hexamine in the compound recipe. In the next part of the study, the mixture of phenols consisting of ferulic, vanillic, p-coumaric, sinapic p-hydroxy benzoic, salicylic and indoleacetic acid extracted from rice husk has been tried as antioxidant in NR gum and filled vul-canizates. The results obtained were compared with those of control mixes containing styrenated phenol. The cure characterisitics and vulcanizate pro-perties were 'evaluated. The results indicated that there is not much variation In cure characteristics or tensile properties between control and experimenta