Key Engineering Materials Submitted: 2015-09-19

ISSN: 1662-9795, Vol. 694, pp 50-53 Revised: 2016-02-03

doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.694.50 Accepted: 2016-02-07
2016 Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland Online: 2016-05-23

Effects of Hydrocolloid on Compression and Morphological Properties of

Kenaf Filled Natural Rubber Latex Foam
Ahmad Fikri Abdul Karim1,a, Hanafi Ismail2,b and Zulkifli Mohamad Ariff1,c
1
School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains
Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
2
Clusters for Polymer Composites (CPC), Science and Engineering Research Centre, Engineering
Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
a
a.fikri_89@yahoo.com, bihanafi@usm.my, czulariff@usm.my

Keywords: Hydrocolloid, Kenaf, Natural rubber latex foam

Abstract. Corn starch has been used as hydrocolloids in kenaf filled natural rubber latex foam
(NRLF). Kenaf filled NRLF was successfully prepared by using Dunlop method. This research was
carried out to study the effects of hydrocolloid on compression and morphological properties of kenaf
filled NRLF. From the graph of 50% compression, it was shown that kenaf filled NRLF with
hydrocolloid has higher compression strength compared to kenaf filled NRLF without hydrocolloid.
From the micrograph of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), it was observed that the pores size of
kenaf filled NRLF with hdrocolloid was smaller than the pores size of kenaf filled NRLF without
hydrocolloid. This showed the effect of hydrocolloid which contributes to the high compression
strength.

Introduction
In the past few decades, natural rubber latex (NRL) has been used in many engineering
applications. NRL is one of the natural commodities that have tremendous economic and strategic
importance [1]. The unique characteristics of NRL such as high strength, flexibility and elasticity
have attracted much attention, and are becoming increasingly important for many engineering
applications [2]. NRL is well known in production of dipped goods, extruded threads, adhesives,
carpet-backing and moulded foams [3]. Natural rubber latex foams (NRLF) are one of the
applications of NRL. NRLF which is prepared in accordance with the most favorable procedure has a
fine-porous uniform structure [4].
Nowadays, natural fiber composites are used in numerous applications due to various desirable
properties that they offered such as light weight, renewability, low cost and environmentally friendly
[5]. Combining of kenaf and corn starch as a hybrid system fillers in NRLF can lead to a totally green
composite and enhancement the mechanical properties of NRLF made only from renewable
resources [6]. Based on our knowledge, there is no report on the use kenaf in NRLF.
The objective of this research is to study and determine the influence of hydrocolloid (corn
starch) in kenaf filled NRLF. Compression strength and morphological properties are studied and
reported.

Methodology
Materials and Formulation. Table 1 shows the formulation and materials used in this research.
Natural rubber latex (Low Ammonia (LATZ) type) and its chemical purchased from Zarm Scienctific
& Supplies Sdn. Bhd, Malaysia were used in this research. Kenaf fiber supplied by National Kenaf
and Tobacco Board was ground and sieved into an average particle size less than 300m.

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 Key Engineering Materials Vol. 694 51

Table 1 Formulation of NRLF filled Kenaf powder.

Ingredients Total solid content (%) Formulation (pphr)
LA Latex 60 100
Sulphur 50 2.2
Antioxidant 50 1
Potassium Oleate 20 4.5
ZDEC 50 0.9
ZMBT 50 0.9
Zinc Oxide 50 3
DPG 40 0.3
SSF 25 1.2
(Hydrocolloid)
50 3
Corn Starch
Kenaf powder 25 1/3/5/7

Kenaf Powder Modification. Kenaf powder could not be added directly to the NRL compound as it
becomes acidic in aqueous solution. Firstly, 5 parts by weight (pbw) of Tamol (dispersing agent) was
added to distilled water and stirred for 5 minutes. Next, 20 pbw of kenaf powder was slowly added
with 3 pbw of nano clay to the distilled water. The mixture was continuously stirred for 1 hour. The
pH was measured and recorded. After stirring for another 10 minutes, mixture was poured into a jar
mill filled with ball mills. Mixture was milled overnight by continuous rotation. Next, the modified
kenaf slurry was collected in a beaker and pH was measured. Drops of ammonia solution was added
to the modified kenaf until pH=10 obtained. The amount of ammonia added to the kenaf slurry was
recorded.

Sample Preparation. Firstly, LATZ type NRL was filtered, measured and stirred by using
mechanical stirrer for about 15 minutes. Next, vulcanizing agent (sulphur) and antioxidant were
added and stirred at 10 rpm. After 30 minutes, zinc 2-mercaptobenzhiozolate (ZMBT) and zinc
diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC) were slowly added to the mixture. After 1 hour, potassium oleate
soap, corn starch and required phr of kenaf were added to the compound was slowly added to the
mixture and the NRLF compound was matured for 6 hours at room temperature with continuous
stirring at 10 rpm. After 8 hours of maturation, the NRLF compound was intensively beaten and
foamed using the stand mixer (KENWOOD, kMix) until the volume was increased up to three times
of the initial volume (beating time about 5 minutes at maximum speed). Once the desired volume is
obtained, the foaming speed was lowered to obtain a fine and even foam. Next, diphenylguanidine
(DPG) together with zinc oxide (ZnO) were added as the primary gelling agent to the foam and even
beating was continued for another 90 seconds. Then, sodium silicofluoride (SSF) which is the
secondary gelling agent was added and the foam was beaten for 60 seconds. Finally, the un-gelled
foam was quickly poured into desired aluminum mould and allowed to gel for 3 minutes at ambient
temperature. Gelled foam was then cured in a hot air oven at 105 C for two hours. Once the foam is
cured, foam was stripped from the mould and washed thoroughly with de-ionized water to remove
potassium oleate soap and excessive non-reacted materials. After washing, the cured NRLF was
evenly dried in a hot air oven at 80 C for 8 hours. The well dried foam will appear to be off white in
color.
52 Current Trends in Materials Engineering

Compression Test. The compression tests were carried out in parallel and perpendicular direction to
the foam rise by using universal testing machine Instron 3366. Specimens dimensions were 50 X 50
X 25 mm. A testing speed of 50 mm/min was used and the test was performed at test temperature of
24 C. Five samples from each filler loading were tested and the averages were plotted. The
compression strength and rigidity modulus were measured.

Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscopy. Studies on the surface morphology of the kenaf filled
NRLF samples were carried out by using tabletop scanning electron microscope (Hitachi, TM1000).
The foam surfaces were mounted on aluminum stubs and sputter-coated with a thin layer of gold to
avoid electrostatic charging and poor image resolution during examination. The morphology of the
degradation kenaf filled NRLF were observed.

Results and Discussion

Fig. 1 shows the effects of kenaf loading on compression strength of kenaf filled NRLF at 50%
compression. From the graph, increased in kenaf loading required higher amount of force to compress
kenaf filled NRLF with and without hydrocolloid. At 50% compression, kenaf filled NRLF with and
without hydrocolloid at 7 phr kenaf loading shows the highest stress value of stress while 1 phr Kenaf
loading shows the lowest stress value. Therefore, it is clearly shown that Kenaf filler loading
contributes to an increased in rigidity of kenaf filled NRLF. Kenaf filled NRLF with hydrocolloid
shows higher stress value compared with kenaf filled NRLF without hydrocolloid. When
hydrocolloid was introduced to the compound during compounding, the viscosity of the compound
increased. In general, high viscosity of NRL compound produced small pores of NRLF. Although
corn starch was non-reinforcing fillers, the compression strength increased due to porous nature that
overpowers the effects of filler to the NRLF itself.
50
45
40
35
30
Stress (kPa)

25 Without
Hydrocolloid
20
With
15 Hydrocolloid
10
5
0
0 1 3 5 7
Filler Loading (phr)

Fig. 1 The effects of kenaf loading on compression strength of kenaf filled NRLF at 50%
compression.
Morphological Properties. Fig. 2 represents the kenaf filled NRLF with and without hydrocolloid.
From the micrograph, it shows that the presence of hydrocolloid tend to reduce the size of the pores in
corn kenaf filled NRLF. Hydrocolloid (corn starch) reacts as a thickening agent in kenaf filled NRLF.
By introducing hydrocolloid to the NRLF, the viscosity of NRL increased, hence reducing the pore
size of NRLF. Therefore, hydrocolloid causes the reduction of pore size, thus increased the rigidity of
kenaf filled NRLF which contribute to the high compression strength.
 Key Engineering Materials Vol. 694 53

(a) (b)

Fig. 2 Micrograph of corn starch/kenaf filled NRLF at 7 phr kenaf loading (a) without hydrocolloid
(b) with hydrocolloid.

Conclusion
The objective of this research is to study and determines the influence of hydrocolloid (corn
starch) in kenaf filled NRLF. It was found that the compression strength of the samples increased
with the increase in kenaf loading. Kenaf filled NRLF with hydrocolloid showed higher compression
strength compared with kenaf filled NRLF without hydrocolloid. Hydrocolloid act as a thickening
agent in NRLF which contribute to the reducing in pore size of kenaf filled NRL. From the
morphological properties, it was shown that the presence of hydrocolloid in kenaf filled NRLF tend to
reduce the pore size of kenaf filled NRLF.

Acknowledgement
The author would like to gratefully acknowledge the Research University Grant, Cluster for
Polymer Composites (CPC) of Universiti Sains Malaysia (Grant Number 1001/PKT/8640014) and
MyBrain15 of Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia for the financial assistance.

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Current Trends in Materials Engineering
10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.694

Effects of Hydrocolloid on Compression and Morphological Properties of Kenaf Filled Natural Rubber
Latex Foam
10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.694.50

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7 (2012) 841-858.
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