Polymer Applications in Agriculture

The use of polymer in agriculture is gaining popularity in science, particularly in the field of polymer chemistry. This has provided solutions to the problems of the present day agriculture which is to maximize land and water productivity without threatening the environment and the natural resources. Superabsorbent polymer hydrogels potentially influence soil permeability, density, structure, texture, evaporation and infiltration rates of water through the soils. Functionalized polymers were used to increase the efficiency of pesticides and herbicides, allowing lower doses to be used and to indirectly protect the environment by reducing pollution and clean-up existing pollutants. This account; a detailed review study, has been put together as an expose on the myriad application of polymer in the field of agriculture, highlighting present research trend , impact on food security and future outlook

Effect of Filler Carbonizing Temperature on the Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber Composites

Abstract: The effect of carbonization temperature on the mechanical properties of groundnut shell filled natural rubber composite was studied. Samples of groundnut shell were carbonized at varying temperature (100,200,300,400,500,600,700 o C) for three hours each and they were ground and passed through 150µm sieve. Another sample was ground without carbonization and filtered as well. The compound mixes were cured using efficient vulcanization system. Mechanical properties of the composites were measured as a function of filler type and loading in comparison with N330 carbon black filled natural rubber composite. It was found that some mechanical properties such as tensile strength, modulus, hardness and abrasion resistance increase with filler carbonization temperatures and loading while other properties such as compression set, Flex fatigue and elongation decreases with filler carbonization temperature and loading. The percentage swelling in Benzene, Toluene and Xylene also decreases with carbonization

Effect of Stearic Acid Level on the Physical Properties of Natural Rubber Vulcanisate

ABSTRACT An investigation was carried out comparing seven different natural rubber formulations, in each case stearic acid level used varied from 0.00 pphr to 6.00 pphr. Vulcanizing at a temperature of 165 0 C for 5 minutes at a pressure of 300 psi, the various compounded formulations were cured. The physical properties viz: hardness, tensile strength, modulus, compression set, elongation at break and abrasion resistance were evaluated. The results obtained are of the view that hardness and compression set increased with an increase in stearic acid levels. Tensile strength and modulus also show an increase with stearic acid level only up to a level of 4.0 pphr. Above this, there is a noticeable drop in both properties. Abrasion resistance decreases with an increase in stearic acid level up to a level of 3.0 pphr, but above this there is a remarkable increase in abrasion resistance. The various results show that stearic acid has a remarked effect on the physical properties of natural rubber vulcanisate