Project Number: 3620-44000-048-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Apr 26, 2006
End Date: Oct 31, 2010

Objective:
Develop improved rubber composites and their applications by using bio-based fillers. The research product of this work will aid in generating new markets for agricultural materials, and alleviate the problem of surplus agricultural commodities. This work will also aid in reducing our dependence on petroleum by substituting bio-based fillers from renewable resources for petroleum-based fillers (carbon black).

Approach:
This proposal seeks to develop various economically viable bio-based fillers for rubber composite applications, and their optimum use and processing technology in rubber applications. The proposed experimental approach will investigate factors that can influence the properties of rubber composites such as filler size, filler structure, filler-filler interactions, and filler-rubber interactions. The result will then be used to identify commercially viable bio-fillers and to optimize the composite properties. The proposed experiments will also investigate the mixing and flow behaviors of bio-filler reinforced rubber composites, and develop a commercially viable processing technology for these composites.