Supply response and Cost of production of natural rubber- an econometric study

The study deals with the short and long term supply response of the natural rubber in India and to analyse the macro economic environment of NR industry and causative factors of the rubber price crash. It determines the minimum cost of production of natural rubber and to forecast the potential production of NR in India. There is positive response of short run and long run supply to prices. Since correlation analysis show close association between international and domestic price level, international price changes will have its domestic echo. Production and consumption will sustain its rising trend. This makes plans for increasing production estimates show that a mid way level i.e. the range between Rs.32-Rs.38 will give a fair enough profit to the grower in the present situation and provide for the viable sustenance of rubber cultivation. Identification of the SWOT of rubber cultivation would help in supporting rubber cultivation if remedial measures are undertaken with the true spirit. This would help Indian rubber to attain global competitiveness. Then the inflow of valuable foreign exchange will overcome the other economic drawbacks of rubber cultivation

Microwave Absorbing Material Using Rubber & Carbon

Development of a new type of microwave absorbing material using rubber latex and carbon. for application in the interior lining of anechoic chambers, has been reported. Absorption coefficients of different combinations were estimated at X and S bands and the results were presented graphically. A combination of 50% rubber latex, 40% carbon and 10% graphite is found to form an ideal microwave absorbing material in the X and s bands

Thermal characterization of doped polyaniline and its composites with CoPc

Thermal diffusivity of the composites of camphor sulphonic acid (CSA) doped polyaniline (PANI) and its composites with cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) has been measured using open cell photoacoustic technique. Analysis of the data shows that the effective thermal diffusivity value can be tuned by varying the relative volume fraction of the constituents. It is seen that polaron assisted heat transfer mechanism is dominant in CSA doped PANI and these composites exhibit a thermal diffusivity value which is intermediate to that of CSA doped PANI and CoPc. The results obtained are correlated with the electrical conductivity and hardness measurements carried out on the samples

Thermal characterization of doped polyaniline and its composites with CoPc

Thermal diffusivity of the composites of camphor sulphonic acid (CSA) doped polyaniline (PANI) and its composites with cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) has been measured using open cell photoacoustic technique. Analysis of the data shows that the effective thermal diffusivity value can be tuned by varying the relative volume fraction of the constituents. It is seen that polaron assisted heat transfer mechanism is dominant in CSA doped PANI and these composites exhibit a thermal diffusivity value which is intermediate to that of CSA doped PANI and CoPc. The results obtained are correlated with the electrical conductivity and hardness measurements carried out on the samples.

Environmental Impacts of Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) Treated Rubber Wood for Aquatic Applications

Faculty of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Studies on the use of nano zinc oxide and modified silica in NR, CR and SBR

Department of Applied Chemistry, Cochin University of Science and Technology

Modification of Polypropylene/Glass Fiber Composites with Nanosilica

Poly(propylene) (PP) reinforced with short glass fiber was modified with precipitated nanosilica (pnS) by melt mixing. The weight of the glass fiber was varied by keeping the pnS at optimum level. The properties of the composites were studied using universal testing machine, dynamic mechanic analyser (DMA), differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermo gravimetric analyser (TGA). The amount of the glass fiber required for a particular modulus could be reduced by the addition of nanosilica.

Dynamic mechanical analysis of binary and ternary polymer blends based on nylon copolymer/EPDM rubber and EPM grafted maleic anhydride compatibilizer

The dynamic mechanical properties such as storage modulus, loss modulus and damping properties of blends of nylon copolymer (PA6,66) with ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) rubber was investigated with special reference to the effect of blend ratio and compatibilisation over a temperature range –100°C to 150°C at different frequencies. The effect of change in the composition of the polymer blends on tanδ was studied to understand the extent of polymer miscibility and damping characteristics. The loss tangent curve of the blends exhibited two transition peaks, corresponding to the glass transition temperature (Tg) of individual components indicating incompatibility of the blend systems. The morphology of the blends has been examined by using scanning electron microscopy. The Arrhenius relationship was used to calculate the activation energy for the glass transition of the blends. Finally, attempts have been made to compare the experimental data with theoretical models.

Preparation of Low-Protein Natural Rubber Latex: Effect of Polyethylene Glycol

Low-protein content natural rubber latex was produced by using a nonionic surfactant-polyethylene glycol (PEG). Extractable protein content of natural rubber latex was found to decrease with PEG treatment and reduction increased with increase in the molecular weight of PEG. The low-protein latex samples were characterized by tensile testing, Fourier transform infrared and thermogravimetric analysis. The results have shown 35% reduction in the extractable protein content, without any compromise on the mechanical properties of the latex; however, thermal stability of low-protein latex was found to be reduced marginally with PEG treatment.

Thermal Properties of Polytetrafluoroethylene/ Sr2Ce2Ti5O16 Polymer/Ceramic Composites

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites filled with Sr2Ce2Ti5O16 ceramic were prepared by a powder processing technique. The structures and microstructures of the composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the ceramic filler had no effect on the melting point of the PTFE. The effect of the Sr2Ce2Ti5O16 ceramic content [0–0.6 volume fraction (vf)] on the thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), specific heat capacity, and thermal diffusivity were investigated. As the vf of the Sr2Ce2Ti5O16 ceramic increased, the thermal conductivity of the specimen increased, and the CTE decreased. The thermal conductivity and thermal expansion of the PTFE/Sr2Ce2Ti5O16 composites were improved to 1.7 W m21 8C21 and 34 ppm/8C, respectively for 0.6 vf of the ceramics. The experimental thermal conductivity and CTE were compared with different theoretical models.