Chitin in Rubber-Based Microcomposites and Blends
摘要
Rubber-based composites have attracted substantial research interest because of their exceptional properties, i.e., physical and mechanical. However, natural rubber (NR) is substantially prone to degradation from thermal aging due to the numerous reactive double bonds in its molecular structure. Additionally, synthetic rubber can be unsuitable for certain applications, particularly in extreme environmental conditions. Blending rubber with other materials enables the development of new composites that combine the desirable properties of each component, while also reducing costs compared to virgin polymers or composites with similar mechanical properties. A promising approach to improving rubber’s performance and environmental impact is blending it with chitin. Chitin–rubber blends and composites are both environmentally friendly and cost-effective, as chitin is an abundant polysaccharide. Incorporating various materials into rubber blends is an effective strategy for enhancing the final product’s performance. This chapter offers an overview of chitin in rubber-based blends and microcomposite systems, along with their diverse applications.