THE EFFECTS OF ZEOLITE ON MECHANICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF NR/ENR MEMBRANES

The main focus of this research is on the organic-inorganic membranes. In this study, the effects of zeolite on natural rubber (NR)/epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) membranes properties were investigated. NR/ENR blends were combined with zeolite in various contents at 0-50 phr by the two-roll mill. The rubber compounds were produced by compression molding at 150 oC to form membranes with thickness of not more than 0.4 mm. NR/ENR blends with zeolite were characterized according to cure characteristics, mechanical properties, swelling properties and scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that the mechanical properties of the blends increased with the addition of zeolite for 10 phr while the cure time (tc90) increased with increasing zeolite content. Membranes swelling increased with increasing amount of zeolite (zeolite at 30 phr produced the best results). Meanwhile, the micrograph showed a surface filled with pores-like small holes with the addition of zeolite in the NR/ENR membranes.