Influência do tipo de ligações cruzadas na biodegradação da borracha natural

Abstract

This Thesis evaluated the influence of the type and density of sulfur crosslinks for the biodegradation in simulated soil of natural rubber latex films. A two-level experimental design with replicas at the center point was carried out, two accelerators and sulfur were varied so that different vulcanization systems were obtained. Rheometric, thermal, swelling and mechanical tests were carried out to evaluate vulcanization in the different prepared formulations. Biodegradability was evaluated by burial in simulated soil for 180 days. The characterization of the samples after testing for the evaluation of biodegradation was carried out through the analysis of the physical-mechanical and morphological properties using scanning electron microscopy. The thermal stability through thermogravimetric analysis and the chemical structure through infrared spectroscopy, in addition to visual changes and mass loss were also evaluated. The results showed that biodegradation was favored in films with lower sulfur content and containing higher concentrations of polysulfidic bonds, or in another case, in the formulation with a greater tendency to reversal. Indicating that these characteristics contribute to biodegradability in simulated soil.