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Characterization of Leather Wastes from Chrome Tanning and its Effect as Filler on the Rheometric Properties of Natural Rubber Compounds

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Abstract

Chrome tanning generates large amounts of leather wastes (LW) which have become a considerable environmental issue. In this work, particulate LW with and without urea treatment were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under inert and oxidative atmospheres, and elemental analysis. Then treated LW (TLW) were incorporated in natural rubber compounds, seeking to find another way of disposal for this type of residue. The effect of TLW on rheometric properties of rubber composites during vulcanization was evaluated, including parameters related to leather particles dispersion in the matrix. It was found that TLW contained chromium and sulfur remaining from tanning, which could affect the properties of rubber compounds. During TGA analysis, oxidation of chromium into LW was increased as an effect of urea treatment. It was observed that TLW improved rubber processability during open two-roll mill mixing process. Rheometric characteristics allowed to identify a decreased TLW particle dispersion into the compound with the increase of its content in the composites. Stiffness of vulcanized composites and the kinetic of the vulcanization varied with TLW content, as an effect of the interaction of TLW with the rubber compound. Particulate leather wastes morphology could facilitate its mechanical interlocking with the polymeric matrix. The development of these type of composites will enable another profitable use for this type of waste.

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Abbreviations

LW:

Untreated leather wastes

TLW:

1% urea treated leather wastes

TGA:

Thermogravimetric analysis

AAS:

Atomic absorption spectrometry

ODR:

Oscillating Disc Rheomether

ML :

Minimum torque at rheometric tests

∆M:

Increasing in torque at rheometric test as an effect of crosslinking

t0 :

time corresponding to the beginning of vulcanization reaction in rheometric tests

t100 :

Time corresponding to the completation of vulcanization in rheometric tests

phr:

Parts per hundred of rubber

FTIR:

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

ATR:

Attenuated total reflectance

DRX:

X-ray diffraction

SEM:

Scanning electron microscopy

NR:

Natural rubber

MH :

Maximum torque at rheometric tests

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Acknowledgements

The authors want to thank the SENNOVA at Sena (the spanish acronym for the National Service of Learning fo Colombia), by its support through the SENNOVA Leaders program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Diseño y Manufactura del Cuero del SENA, Calle 63 Nº 58B-03, Itagüí, Colombia

    Natalia Cardona & Sandra Velásquez

  2. Departamento de Ingeniería de Materiales, Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 70 N° 52-21, Medellín, Colombia

    Natalia Cardona & Diego Giraldo

Authors
  1. Natalia Cardona
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  2. Sandra Velásquez
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  3. Diego Giraldo
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Correspondence to Natalia Cardona.

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Cardona, N., Velásquez, S. & Giraldo, D. Characterization of Leather Wastes from Chrome Tanning and its Effect as Filler on the Rheometric Properties of Natural Rubber Compounds. J Polym Environ 25, 1190–1197 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-016-0898-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-016-0898-9

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