Tensile properties and dimensional stability of wood flour-reinforced cis-1,4-isoprene rubber composites

Wood flour (WF)-reinforced cis- 1,4-isoprene rubber (CIR) composite was prepared through a melting process. Maleic anhydride (MAH), dicumyl peroxide (DCP), and zinc oxide (ZnO) were added to the composites to enhance their tensile properties and dimensional stability. The dependence of MAH, DCP and ZnO concentration at various pressing time on tensile strength, elongation at break, Young's modulus, water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) of WF-CIR composites were examined. The tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young's modulus of the WF-CIR were greatly influenced by MAH content and pressing time. The higher the MAH cocentration and the longer time were applied, the greater improvement of tensile strength, Young's modulus, water absorption and thickness swelling parameters were obtained. However, the elongation at break was found to decrease with addition of MAH. DCP and ZnO concentration were also influenced the tensile strength, elongation at break and Young's modulus for WF-CIR composites.