RUBBER PROPERTIES OF SELECTED CLONES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of rubber properties prepared from selected clones planted in Malaysia. The clones of RRIM 2001, RRIM 2002, RRIM 928, PB260, PB350 and RRIM 3001 were selected for this study and the properties of dry rubber were determined in accordance with Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR) specifications. Cuplumps and latices from these clones were prepared and processed into SMR 10 and SMR CV60 respectively.  Investigation of the Mooney viscosity (V_R) has found clones PB260 fulfils the specification for SMR CV60. Four clones were found to exceed the limit specified for SMR CV 60 whereas clone RRIM 928 was found to be lower. A correlation between V_R and Wallace Plasticity Index (Po) values was also found. The increase in V_R values was consistent with the increase in Po values. Interestingly all clones satisfied the Plasticity Retention Index (PRI) limit in the SMR CV grade and SMR 10. Examination of the samples from cuplumps has shown that all clones fulfil the specified parameters in the SMR 10 grade. It can be concluded that the clones chosen in this study could not satisfy the Mooney viscosity range specified in the stabilized rubber (CV) grade. However, high Mooney viscosity can be minimized through blending of latices from various clones. Interestingly there was no significant effect of individual clones on rubber properties. All clones comply the SMR 10 specifications. 

Keywords: Standard Malaysian Rubber, rubber clones, rubber properties, mooney viscosity, Wallace Plasticity.