LIGNIN FILLED NATURAL RUBBER LATEX COMPOSITES AND ITS UTILIZATION IN RUBBER PRODUCTS

In the development of lignin filled rubber latex composite. rubber wood was prior
processed. digested and precipitated using centrifugation to obtain lignin. The
acquired lignin was then added into natural rubber latex as filler at varying loading
and rubber films were prepared from the lignin filled rubber latex composite by
casting using glass mould. The effect of lignin on the oil resistance. tensile strength
and morphology of the resulting tilms was investigated via tensile strength
measurements. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Transmission Electron
Microscopy (TEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The results showed that
oil resistance of rubber latex films was enhanced with the addition of lignin above 2
wt% loading. The obvious increase in tensile strengths occurred at lignin loading at
I 0 \\1% and 12 vdYo. where the increase was 60% and 73% respectively.