DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14483/23448393.23742Published:
2026-09-08Issue:
Vol. 31 No. 2 (2026): May-AugustSection:
Mechanical EngineeringEvaluation of Acetylglycerols as Process Oils in Natural Rubber Composites
Evaluación de acetil gliceroles como aceites de proceso en compuestos de caucho natural
Keywords:
acetylation, composites, glycerol, MDTAG, natural rubber, vulcanization (en).Keywords:
caucho natural, compuestos, glicerol, MDTAG, vulcanización, acetilación (es).Downloads
Abstract (en)
Context: In this study, technical-grade glycerin from the biodiesel industry was chemically modified to obtain mono-, di-, and triacetylglycerols (MDTAG). The main objective was to use MDTAG to partially replace naphthenic and aromatic oils, which are actively used as plasticizers in the natural rubber industry.
Method: The synthesis of MDTAG was carried out by mixing glycerin with acetic acid in the presence of an ion-exchange resin as a catalyst. Compounds were prepared by mixing 100 parts of natural rubber with 60 parts of carbon black and adding MDTAG at concentrations of 0, 10, 20, and 30 parts by weight. Curing was performed using a sulfur-based acceleration system. Rheometric properties were evaluated before vulcanization, followed by measurements of tensile strength, elongation at break, tear resistance, abrasion resistance, and compression properties on vulcanized specimens.
Results: Rheometric analyses showed that the addition of MDTAG influenced the curing parameters and the mechanical properties of the compounds. At a dosage of 30 phr, compared with the compound without MDTAG, the maximum torque (MH) decreased by 58.3% when reducing the degree of crosslinking. Tensile strength decreased by 38.2%, elongation at break by 42.1%, tear strength by 24.35%, and comprehensive strength by 27.5%.
At a dosage of 10 phr the maximum torque MH was not affected, and tensile strength, elongation at break, and compressive strength were preserved, while the tear resistance decreased by only 5.8%.
Conclusions: The addition of 30 parts by weight of acetylglycerols caused a significant deterioration in the mechanical properties and curing behavior, which may be attributed to the low compatibility between the MDTAG mixture and the NR natural rubber. These results were confirmed by the ANOVA statistical analysis, leading to the conclusion that the MDTAG dosage should be limited to a maximum of 10 phr when used as a partial substitute for naphthenic and aromatic oils in natural rubber mixtures
Abstract (es)
Contexto: En este estudio se modificó químicamente la glicerina de grado técnico proveniente de la industria del biodiesel para obtener mono, di, tri acetil gliceroles (MDTAG). El objetivo principal fue usar MDTAG para reemplazar parcialmente aceites nafténicos y aromáticos, los cuales se usan activamente como plastificantes en la industria del caucho natural.
Método: La síntesis de MDTAG se realizó mediante la mezcla de glicerina con ácido acético en presencia de una resina de intercambio iónico como catalizador. Se prepararon compuestos mezclando 100 partes de caucho natural y 60 partes de negro de humo, agregando MDTAG en concentraciones de 0, 10, 20 y 30 partes en peso. El proceso de curado se realizó con un sistema de aceleración a base de azufre. Se evaluaron propiedades reométricas antes de la vulcanización y, posteriormente, se midieron resistencia a la tracción, la elongación a la rotura, la resistencia al desgarro, la resistencia a la abrasión y las propiedades de compresión en probetas vulcanizadas.
Resultados: Los análisis reométricos mostraron que la adición de MDTAG influyó en los parámetros de curado y en las propiedades mecánicas de los compuestos. Con una dosificación de 30 phr, en comparación con el compuesto sin MDTAG, se obtuvo una disminución del torque máximo (MH) en 58.3%, lo que indica una reducción en el grado de entrecruzamiento. Asimismo, se observó una reducción del 38.2% en la resistencia a la tracción, del 42.1% en la elongación a la rotura, del 24.35% en la resistencia al desgarro y del 27.5% en la resistencia a la compresión.
Con una dosificación del 10 phr, el torque máximo (MH) no se vio afectado significativamente, y se conservaron la resistencia a la tracción, la elongación a la rotura y la resistencia a la compresión, mientras que la resistencia al desgarro disminuyó solo en un 5.8%.
Conclusiones: La adición de 30 partes en peso de acetil gliceroles provocó una degradación significativa de las propiedades mecánicas y del comportamiento de curado, lo que puede atribuirse a la baja compatibilidad entre la mezcla del MDTAG y el caucho natural (NR). Estos resultados fueron confirmados mediante el análisis estadístico ANOVA, lo que permite concluir que la dosificación de MDTAG debe limitarse a un máximo de 10 phr cuando se utiliza para su uso como sustituto parcial de aceites nafténicos y aromáticos en mezclas de caucho natural.
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