Effect of filler loading on thermal aging and fatigue life of rattan powder filled natural rubber composites

Potential of rattan powder as filler in natural rubber was investigated. Natural rubber (NR) compounds were prepared by the incorporation of rattan powder at different loadings into a natural rubber matrix with a laboratory size two roll mill. The effect of rattan loading as filler on thermal aging and fatigue life of rattan powder filled natural rubber composites were studied in the filler loading range of 0 to 30 phr. The thermal aging was carried out for 7 and 14 days at temperature of 70°C to determine aging property by performing tensile test. The result indicates fatigue life of rattan powder filled NR composites decreased as increasing rattan loading. After aging, the tensile strength and elongation at break decreases whilst tensile modulus; stress at 100% elongation and stress at 300% elongation increased as increasing filler loading.