Studies on the Physicochemical and Physico-Mechanical Properties of Activated Palm Kernel Shell blended with Carbon Black filled NR Vulcanizates

Palm kernel shell was activated using chemical activation of H3PO4 and KOH. Various amounts of activated palm kernel shell (APKS) couple with carbon black (CB) and other conventional ingredients were used to produce natural rubber vulcanizates (NR vulcanizates). The NR vulcanizates were compounded on a two-row mill and tested for its physico-mechanical properties. The results for characterization of physicochemical properties carried out on APKS  were ash content (2.06%), moisture content (8.06%), %carbon (54.41%), particle size (4.00, 3.35, 2.00, 1.18mm), bulk density (0.62g/ml) and pH (5.3).The results show significant values for all, the moisture and ash content were within the recommended standard of ASTM (3-10max) and (< or =8) respectively. The filler loading concentrations CB/APKS were labeled as mixes 1 to 7. The composition of CB/APKS filler loading ratios were 30:0, 25:5, 20:10, 15:15, 10:20, 5:25, and 0:30 samples 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 respectively. Results obtained showed that CB/APKS filled vulcanizates exhibited improvement in the physico-mechanical properties investigated. The results obtained for CB/APKS across the samples filler loading shows that CB composition possess higher UTS, EB and rubber fatigue test while APKS filler loading composition exhibited higher hardness and young modulus. Abrasion resistance was excellent for both CB and APKS filler loading composition.Keywords: Activated Palm Kernel Shell, filler, carbon black, Chemical Activation, Natural Rubber