CHARACTERIZATION OF THERMAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTY OF LATEX FOAM RUBBER MIXED WITH SILICA AEROGEL-FILLER

Abstract

The main objective of this research aims to determine the effect of silica aerogel- filler on both thermal and mechanical property of latex foam rubber. The foam rubbers were produced by mixing with silica aerogel varied from 0.00-20.00 phr via Dunlop process. The physical, elemental composition, mechanical and thermal property of the foam rubber mixed with silica aerogel was determined. It was found that both density and thermal conductivity coefficient of foam rubber, with silica aerogel at 1.00 phr, decreased to 0.196±0.0026 g/cm³ and 0.055±0.0001W/m.K, respectively. Further increase in the amount of silica aerogel increased both density and thermal conductivity coefficient of the foam rubber. Tensile strength also increased with increasing of the amount of silica aerogel. However, Tensile strength decreased when the amount of silica aerogel exceeded 10.00 phr due to large size of aerogel aggregate is formed and reduces the reinforcing effect. In conclusion, both density and thermal properties of foam rubber mixed with silica aerogel of 1.00 phr is comparable to the property of the commercial insulation.