Learn In Details About The Uses Of ZnO Nanopowder For Rubber Industry
Zinc oxide is a chemical that is formed by combining Zinc and Oxygen. It has many benefits in academic and industrial purposes. It is a pale yellow or white colored powder that contains nano particles of diameter ranging between 10nm and 30nm. This nanopowder is used in manufacturing different kinds of industrial items, like ceramics, cosmetics, concrete, skincare products, and food supplements. The nanoparticles of ZnO are also needed for coating on other materials, to protect from UV radiation and harmful microbes.
Different functions of ZnO nanopowder for rubber processing
Zinc oxide has many uses in rubber industry, where this chemical is needed for the development of raw rubber into the required finished items. All the physical, chemical and optical properties of zinc oxide are utilized in various procedures in the rubber industry.
Zinc oxide has definite chemical properties that can activate the accelerator for removing all the impurities from rubber. Both natural and synthetic rubber can be purified with this chemical. Hence, industries apply ZnO nanopowder for rubber vulcanization, to get rid of all acidic impurities, mainly the chemicals containing sulfur.
Zinc oxide accelerates the chemical reactions with some elastomers and for crosslinking with other chemicals while developing raw rubber. It also accelerates the vulcanization of rubber, making the process much speedier.
When zinc oxide is added to the rubber latex, it prevents decomposition of this natural material. This chemical nullifies the effect of the enzyme that causes this decomposition of latex. It also prevents the growth of moulds, mildew and other fungi that can destroy the rubber latex.
Zinc oxide can render better stability to the rubber on high temperatures. It stops the devulcanization of rubber products, when various types of rubber need to be processed under excessive heat for production purposes.
Zinc oxide is a dielectric or insulating material, as no current can pass through this material due to the absence of free electrons. Hence, people use ZnO nanodust for rubber insulation on electric wires and cables. This property of ZnO is utilized in nullifying the dangerous corona discharge by putting rubber coverings over high-voltage transmission lines.
Various applications of ZnO nanodust for rubber products
Since zinc oxide makes rubber more compressible, it becomes more flexible to render any desired shape and size to the end products. People use ZnO nanopowder for rubber covering to reduce the operating temperatures in scientific and commercial procedures, as this chemical turns rubber to be a worst conductor of heat. Since ZnO retards decomposition of rubber when it comes in contact with acids, these rubber materials can be safely used in scientific tools as well. As ZnO present in rubber reacts chemically with copper oxide, it becomes easier to fit this rubber tightly over brass surfaces that are layered with copper oxide.
Therefore, all rubber industry owners use ZnO nanoparticles for rubber items, which make sure to improve the qualities of those end products. The application of this chemical makes the rubber safer and easier for turning into desired uses.