Abstract
This paper presents a study on the behaviour of composites based on natural rubber and plasticized starch after aging under temperate climate conditions. Natural rubber blends containing different amounts of glycerine-plasticized starch as biodegradable filler were made. Analysis of samples after being kept for 1 year in temperate weather conditions shows a change in the surface of vulcanizates due to the influence of atmospheric factors. Surface oxidation and degradation was highlighted by: FTIR analysis (appearance of -OH, -COOH groups, etc.), SEM microscopy (appearance of cracks on the surface), immersion in water. The degradation of the materials is also highlighted by the decrease of the physical-mechanical properties, the gel fraction and crosslinking degree. The best aging behaviour was observed in the mixture containing a low amount of biodegradable starch and the worst behaviour was that of the control starch-free mixture.
Keywords: polymer composites; natural rubber; starch; degradation; properties