Evaluation of acrylonitrile rubber containing zinc oxide as safety products

The goal of this research is to find the ideal formulation with the best antimicrobial performance in terms of rheological, physicomechanical, and lowest toxic properties to produce safety rubber for the children toy's and other industrial products. In order to accomplish this, a number of formulations containing ZnO as activator for vulcanization process as well as an antimicrobial agent at concentrations ranging from 1.5 to 40 phr in the presence of 40 phr of different fillers were prepared. The rheological characteristics of prepared compounded rubber samples were assessed and the cure rate was calculated. The overall rheological test results indicate a raise in minimum and maximum torque along with a fall in scorch and optimum cure time. The compounded NBR was vulcanized as estimated curing time. The results illustrated that the NBR vulcanizates containing various amounts of ZnO and 40 phr talc have the best physicomechanical properties. Also, the scanning electron micrographs indicated surface homogeneity and good dispersion of the NBR components. The cytotoxicity test of the investigated vulcanizates on normal retina cell line gave no cytotoxic effect which assessed their safety. These findings offer useful information for antimicrobial NBR vulcanizates for kid's toys and other safety products.

Highlights

• Synthesis of antimicrobial NBR rubber vulcanizates for safety applications.
• The antimicrobial agent used was ZnO.
• ZnO nanoparticles and other ingredients were incorporated with NBR on the ordinary rubber mixer.
• Rheological, physicomechanical properties and antimicrobial activity of NBR rubber were tested.
• The products have better mechanical and antimicrobial safety properties.