Swelling and viscoelastic properties of NR vulcanizates filled with cryogenically pulverized polyurethane foam particles

Cryogenically pulverized polyester polyurethane foam (PU) particles with va rious particle sizes and moisture contents were introduced as a new filler into natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates. Swelling-deswelling behavior and vis coelastic properties of the PU filled NR vulcanizates were investigated. Th e results showed that the degree of swelling of the PU filled NR vulcanizat es reduced as the reinforcement between the filler and the rubber increased . The reinforcement improved as particle size and moisture content of the P U filler were reduced.