Effect of epoxidation levels on curing characteristic and mechanical properties of ENR/MFC composites

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effect of epoxidation levels on curing and tensile properties epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)/microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) composites. ENRs with different were first prepared from (NR) latex via ‘in situ ’ performic using 0.75 M formic acid 1 hydrogen peroxide at 50°C various reaction times. The results H NMR revealed that 2, 4, 6 hours could achieve 20, 30, 40 mol % epoxidation, respectively. introduction epoxide groups into NR chains reduced scorch cure time along increase epoxy content. Furthermore, it was observed strength rose remarkably 30 mol% (ENR30). Therefore, ENR30 subsequently chosen prepare composites amounts MFC (1, 3, 5 parts per hundred rubber, phr). Interestingly, incorporating elevated elongation break ENR30. At phr MFC, composite possessed highest value, which reached up 31.07 MPa 922.92%,