Utilization of rubber scrap powder in compound for golf grip

Abstract

Rubber Scrap Powder (RSP) is a by-product from the sanding process in golf grip manufacturing. It is waste unless salvaged for recycling purposes; first, The RSP shall be sieved to about 195 micrometre for efficient blending with other rubber compound ingredients and for removal of other foreign material. The NR/EPDM blends filled with RSP were prepared. The mooney viscosity and maximum torque of the blend increased with increasing RSP amount while T2 and T90 also decreased. The RSP provides more rubber and the curatives such as accelerator can migrate. At a loading 100 phr, RSP improved the tensile strength and elongation at break properties since the RSP acts as reinforcing filler in the rubber matrix, therefore enhances the properties. But above 100 phr loading, both tensile strength and elongation at break decreased because of excessive crosslink density. The comparison of mechanical properties of RSP and CaCO[subscript 3], filled NR/EPDM compoundreveals the potential of using RSP as a substitute for CaCO[subscript 3]. It is also found that RSP can be incorporated into the golf grip compound formulation with the very slight drop in the properties, which is still within acceptable limit even at 100 phr of RSP. The recycling RSP was shown to be very beneficial to the golf grip industry