Thermal properties and combustibility of elastomer-protein composites Part I. Composites SBR-keratin

The article describes the measurements results of the influence of waste keratin on the properties of cross-linked styrene-butadiene rubber especially taking its thermal properties and flammability into consideration. The biopolymer used was thoroughly examined by means of derivatography, elementary analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, Zetasizer nano S90, and Zetasizer 2000. It has been found that the presence of protein facilitates the cross-linking of the elastomer investigated and the elastomeric-protein materials are characterized by good thermal and mechanical properties as well as a considerably increased resistance to thermooxidative aging. Under the influence of keratin, the flammability of the composites obtained is decreased.