Continuous Flow Bead-Milling Impact on Sulfur Curing for Advanced Elastomeric Rubber Composites
Authors: Omar Mohamad Firdaus , Ali Fathilah , Jami Mohammed Saedi , Azmi Azlin Suhaida , Ahmad Farah 
Published: July 2024

As an eco-friendly and technically feasible method for physical modification of materials, bead-milling has been extensively used in many industrial applications ranging from chemicals, nanomaterials, foods, and pharmaceuticals with impacts on particle size, surface morphology, stability, and overall products’ performance. Apparently, there have been limited studies conducted on sulfur curative dispersion using this technology, necessitating a thorough investigation of its performance. The objectives of the present study were to explore the influence of the bead-milling process parameters, particularly rotational speed and flow rate, on the sulfur curative dispersion characteristics and to analyze its behavior within the rubber elastomer matrix. Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array experimental design was employed to identify the optimal rotational speed and flow rate of a 60-L bead-milling machine on the sulfur curative dispersion. The stability and morphology of the resulting sulfur curative dispersion were characterized, along with its mechanical properties in rubber elastomers. It was found that higher rotational speed (800 rpm) and lower flow rate (350 L/h) of the bead-milling process resulted in smaller sulfur particle sizes, leading to improved tensile strength of the rubber elastomer. This research may provide valuable insights to determine the ideal bead-milling process for sulfur curative, enhancing the mechanical properties and overall performance of elastomeric rubber composites as well as across various fields.
ABSTRAK: Sebagai sebahagian kaedah mesra alam dan secara teknikal dapat mengubah suai bentuk fizikal bahan, mesin pengisaran manik telah digunakan secara meluas dalam kebanyakan aplikasi industri termasuk kimia, nanomaterial, makanan, dan farmaseutikal dengan kesan pada saiz zarah, morfologi permukaan, kestabilan, dan prestasi keseluruhan produk. Namun, terdapat kurang kajian terhadap taburan kuratif sulfur menggunakan teknologi ini, menyebabkan penyelidikan menyeluruh diperlukan bagi menilai prestasinya. Objektif kajian ini adalah bagi mengkaji pengaruh parameter proses pengisaran manik, terutamanya pada kelajuan putaran dan kadar aliran, iaitu terhadap ciri-ciri taburan kuratif sulfur dan mengkaji tindak balasnya pada matriks elastomer getah. Reka bentuk eksperimen Taguchi L9 bersusunan ortogonal telah digunakan bagi mengenal pasti kelajuan putaran dan kadar aliran optimal mesin pengisaran manik 60 liter terhadap taburan kuratif sulfur. Kestabilan dan morfologi taburan kuratif sulfur yang terhasil telah dicirikan, bersama sifat mekanikal dalam elastomer getah. Dapatan mendapati bahawa proses pengisaran manik pada kelajuan putaran lebih tinggi (800 rpm) dan kadar aliran lebih rendah (350 L/j) menyebabkan saiz zarah sulfur lebih kecil, membawa kepada peningkatan kekuatan regangan elastomer getah. Kajian ini mungkin memberikan pengetahuan penting bagi menentukan proses pengisaran manik yang ideal untuk kuratif sulfur, meningkatkan sifat mekanikal dan prestasi keseluruhan komposit getah elastomerik serta pelbagai bidang lain.