Analysis of Nanoclay Reinforced Rubber Formulation Using Ultrasonic and Image Processing

Nanoclay is added to rubber formulation to enhance mechanical properties of rubber. In this study, the non-destructive inspection method of ultrasonic waves was used to investigate the nanoclay reinforced rubber formulation. In this method, the time between the transmission and the reflection of ultrasonic waves is measured. Longitudinal propagation velocity is obtained by the thickness of sample divided on time. In this study, an image processing method was used to measure the sample thickness due to the flexibility of rubber materials. By changing raw material composition of the rubber, the physical and mechanical properties of nanoclay reinforced rubber are altering and as a result, the velocity of ultrasonic propagation is changing. To investigate the nanoclay reinforced rubber formulation at first samples with different formulations were prepared and for each of the samples, the propagation velocity of the longitudinal sound waves was measured. Another sample with a new formulation was developed and longitudinal wave velocity was measured for validation of proposed method. The results show that the proposed method can accurately predict longitudinal wave propagation velocity in reinforced rubber formulation. Thus, this method can be used for validation of compound formulation in rubber production lines.