Effect of Nanocellulose Loading on Tensile Properties of Nitrile Rubber

Nanocellulose (NCC) is incorporated into nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) latex with the composition 0 to 5 phr using dipping method. Mechanical properties of NBR/NCC composites using tensile test was used to characterize their mechanical performance and the fracture surfaces post tensile test were studied. The tensile strength of NBR/NCC composites increase significantly with the addition of nanocellulose. This could be anticipated due to the presence of Van der Waals interaction between hydrophilic natures of nanocellulose with hydrophobic of NBR consequently limits the tearing propagation. The result was supported with the fracture surfaces morphology viewed under Fourier Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM).