Articles
Study of raw rubber and dynamic properties of RRISL 203 genotype using rubber process analyzer
Authors:
A. P. Attanayake ,
Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Telawala Road, Ratmalana, LK
M. U. D. S. Weerasinghe
Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, Telawala Road, Ratmalana, LK
Abstract
Quality raw materials are essential for a sustainable rubber product industry. RRISL has introduced RRISL 203 clones as a solution for demand in high-yielding, and disease-resistant clones with vigorous growth. The objective of the present study is to study the raw rubber and rheological properties to find the suitability to produce advanced rubber products. Un-fractioned-unbleached crepe rubber manufactured using latex from the clone was collected from three crepe rubber factories in three different areas in Sri Lanka. RRIC 121, which is the most popular clone in Sri Lanka was selected as the control. Studies carried out on the raw rubber properties of these rubbers revealed that RRISL 203 clone recorded the highest Plasticity number as well as the highest Mooney viscosity among clones available in Sri Lanka. Further, this clone possesses relatively higher Plasticity Retention Index, nitrogen, and gel content with a significantly higher Mooney relaxation rate which leads to high elasticity. A frequency sweep test carried out using RPA (Rubber Process Analyzer) revealed that RRISL 203 possesses linear polymer with a low degree of branching while having a high molecular weight and broader molecular weight distribution. The overall results revealed that rubber obtained from the new clone leads could be used to produce rubber products with high strength and elastic properties. RRISL 203 clone showed moderate raw rubber properties with the highest Mooney viscosity value. Hence, the associated mastication energy requirement would be higher than that of RRIC 121.
How to Cite:
Attanayake, A.P. and Weerasinghe, M.U.D.S., 2021. Study of raw rubber and dynamic properties of RRISL 203 genotype using rubber process analyzer. Journal of the Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka, 101, pp.26–35. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jrrisl.v101i0.1903
Published on
30 Dec 2021.
Peer Reviewed
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