The Effect of ZnO as Activator on Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Liquid Rubber Compound

The effect of ZnO as activator on mechanical and chemical properties of liquid rubber compound has been examined. Liquid rubber made by mixing some chemicals such as stearic acid and Zinc Oxide as activator, BHT and liquid smoke as antioxidant, CaCO3 as filler, MBTS and TMTD as accelerator, KOH as stabilizer and Sulphur as vulcanizing agent with concentrated latex at room temperature, then maturated for 72 hours. In this research the use of ZnO as activator was varied as 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 phr. Before being examined, rubber film made from liquid rubber compound by dyeing process then vulcanization done at 100 oC with water vapor. The rubber film which produced from liquid rubber compound then was characterized their mechanical and chemical properties such as resistance to heating, resistance to acid, alkaline resistance, solvent resistance and tear resistance. The result showed that ZnO content changed the mechanical and chemical properties of liquid rubber compound and obtained the best conditions on the use of 9 phr ZnO