Abstract:
Rubber compounding has mainly master batch
mixing and final batch mixing. In some special cases, rubber
compounding has additional re-mixing step to achieve
specific viscosity standards in master batch mixing. This
extra step increases the cost negatively affecting the profit
of the rubber compounding industries. In this research,
avoidance of remixing step in track producing extrusion
compound was focused by modifying the viscosity. Thus,
the properties and processability of said compound were
tested by changing mastication phase rotor speed (25 rpm,
40 rpm, 55 rpm), mastication phase masticate time (80
s 100 s, 120 s), carbon black incorporation phase rotor
speed (25 rpm, 40 rpm, 55 rpm) and dispersion phase rotor
speed (25 rpm, 40 rpm, 55 rpm) separately. Furthermore,
viscosity properties of the compound were analyzed by
using Complete Randomized Design with 4 replicates per
each treatment. Results revealed that, rotor speed and
mastication phase masticate time have significant effect
on viscosity of the compound. Better properties could
be obtained at mastication phase 55 rpm rotor speed,
mastication phase masticate time 120 s and 80 s, carbon
black incorporation phase 55 rpm rotor speed, dispersion
phase 55 rpm and 25 rpm rotor speed. These different
best level were combined and the properties were tested
again. The lowest viscosity value shown at mastication
phase 55 rpm, mastication time 80 sec, carbon black
incorporation phase 55 rpm and dispersion phase 25 rpm
was taken as best combination and was selected as the
new mixing cycle. In the selected mixing cycle, carbon
black incorporation phase temperature was controlled at
150 0C well. The developed new mixing cycle of master
batch mixing cycle could avoid the remixing step in
track producing extrusion compound (ATR-6112) by
modification of viscosity.
