Sains  Malaysiana 37(1): 79-84(2008)

Tensile Properties of Vulcanized Field Natural

Rubber Latex by Electron Beam

(Sifat Regangan Susu Getah Asli Ladang

Tervulkan dengan Alur Elektron)

Chai Chee Keong & Wan Manshol W. Zin

Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia)

Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor D. E., Malaysia

Md. Soot Hj. Ahmad

School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology

Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor D. E., Malaysia

Received :  6 February 2007 / Accepted :  3 July 2007

ABSTRACT

Electron beam vulcanization of natural rubber latex has been developed as an alternative to the conventional sulphur vulcanization method. This study aimed at determining the effect of electron beam dose, beam current and centrifugation to the tensile properties of field natural rubber latex. Irradiation dose and beam current ranged from 50 to 300 kGy and 1 to 15 mA respectively. The determination of tensile properties were done on cast film prepared from irradiated field latex before and after centrifugation. It was found that tensile properties increased with radiation dose but decreased with beam current. Rubber films made from centrifuged irradiated field latex were softer and showed higher tensile strength.

Keywords: Natural rubber latex; vulcanization; electron beam, dose rate; beam current

                                                                ABSTRAK

Proses pemvulkanan susu getah asli menggunakan alur elektron telah dibangunkan sebagai satu alternatif kepada kaedah pemvulkanan menggunakan sulfur. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan kesan dos alur elektron, arus alur dan pengemparan ke atas sifat regangan susu getah asli ladang, iaitu susu getah asli segar yang diperoleh dari pokok getah. Dos penyinaran dan arus alur yang digunakan dalam kajian ini berjulat masing-masing 50 hingga 300kGy dan 1 hingga 15 mA. Penentuan sifat regangan dijalankan ke atas filem acuan yang diperbuat daripada susu getah asli ladang sebelum dan selepas pengemparan. Didapati sifat regangan meningkat dengan dos sinaran tetapi berkurang dengan arus alur. Filem getah yang diperbuat daripada susu getah asli ladang tersinar dan terempar adalah lebih lembut dan menunjukkan kekuatan regangan yang lebih tinggi.

Kata kunci: Susu getah asli; pemvulkanan; alur elektron; kadar dos; arus alur

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