Mechanical Properties and Biodegradability of Cuttlebone/NR Composites

Abstract

Cuttlebone/natural rubber (NR) composites were successfully prepared via three sulfur vulcanization systems, conventional, semi-efficient and efficient vulcanizations. The clarification of the organic component from cuttlebone particles was performed by acid-based demineralization and protease treatment. The incorporation of the cuttlebone particles did not prevent the sulfur cross-linking reaction of NR in three sulfur curing systems. The mechanical properties, in terms of the modulus of composite materials, were improved by using cuttlebone particles as the reinforcing filler due to the presence of the organic components. The interaction between cuttlebone particles with the NR matrix was greater than that between commercial CaCO3and NR matrix, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The mechanism of the reinforcement effect of cuttlebone on NR vulcanizates is proposed. The degradation of the NR vulcanizates in both landfill and liquid bacterial culture assays revealed that cuttlebone/NR green composite materials could be degradable within 3 months and 8 weeks, respectively. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York.