DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERISATION OF NATURAL RUBBER - GELATIN BLENDS WITH IMPROVED BIODEGRADABILITY

Natural rubber (NR) blends with different concentrations of gelatin (GLN) were successfully prepared through solution casting and dry-mixing techniques. The gelatin content was varied from 0 to 20 phr. The blends were cured at 150 C to their respective optimum cure times. Biodegradability was evaluated using soil burial test and was found to have improved with gelatin content. A gelatin loading of 10 phr was sufficient to impart a significant extent of biodegradation. The blends were also investigated for mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties, morphology and thermal and solvent resistance. Enhanced cure rate, increased cross-link density and improved mechanical properties, without any deterioration in thermal stability, could be achieved through the blending process. The blend realizes fabrication of a biodegradable substitute for vulcanized natural rubber without compromising mechanical and thermal properties.