The Physico-Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber Latex Foam when Loaded by Different Sizes of Rice Husk Powder

Abstract

This study investigates a novel idea of adding rice husk powder (RHP) into natural rubber latex foam (NRLF) as a way of creating an end product with improved characteristics, marketability, and disposal opportunities. Many sectors have attempted the recycling of RHP, but never with NRLF. This study intends to examine how the mechanical and physical characteristics of RHP-filled NRLF are impacted by RHP size. RHP-filled NRLFs (various sizes) were subjected to numerous mechanical tests, including a tensile and compression study, and the results were matched with that of a controlled NRLF. The results showed that the RHP size, the higher the compression set and the lower the recovery percentage. It was also observed that the lower the RHP filler size, the higher the stress as observed in the stress-strain graph. Better interaction between finer RHP and NRLF was also demonstrated by the decrease in (Qf/Qg) and increase in hardness values of 63 microns RHP-filled NRLFs.