Nano‐sized TiO ₂ ‐reinforced natural rubber composites prepared by latex compounding method

This paper addresses nano‐sized titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) reinforced natural rubber composites. Micro‐sized TiO 2 is simultaneously prepared to make a comparison with the composites containing nano‐sized TiO 2 . To improve the dispersion of TiO 2 , this study also suggests a new method of incorporating TiO 2 . Aqueous dispersions of micro‐ and nano‐sized TiO 2 at the loadings of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 parts by weight per hundred parts of resin were dispersed in natural rubber latex, and then the resulting compounds were dried prior to mixing it with other ingredients on a two‐roll mill. By applying this technique, the homogeneity of the compound is significantly improved. This can be clearly seen from the enhancement of tensile properties and morphological characteristics where the optimum loading was found at 6 parts by weight per hundred parts of resin of micro‐ and nano‐sized TiO 2 . Adding TiO 2 results in delayed scorch times and curing times wherein the curing process of filled compounds is shorter than the unfilled compound. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 23:200–209, 2017.