Natural rubber (NR), cis 1,4-polyisoprene, a bio-sourced material produced from the latex of Hevea Brasiliense, covers more than 50% of the rubber used in tire industry. NR exhibits strain induced crystallization (SIC) resulting in superior physical properties, especially high strength. NR latex incorporates serum which is discarded as waste during rubber production in the coagulation process. It was found that reintroducing dried serum (DS) to NR enhances SIC kinetics and toughness. The detailed mechanism of this SIC enhancement effect will be presented.

• Fracture mechanics of rubber
• Strain induced crystallization of poly-isoprene rubber
• Relationship between micro/macro structure and resultant mechanical strength