Abstract

Rubbers as low Tg polymers are industrially relevant due to their unique chemical and physical structures
enabling modification including network formation for end use. The ability to form cross-links is achieved
through the addition of appropriate chemical additives. In situ functionalization is a convenient route. Natural
rubber (NR) with its isoprene as the repeating unit and enormous physical entanglement is considered a
right template in understanding the functionalization. As most of these reactions are thermal energy
induced, a simple laboratory technique of generating molecular friction through dielectric collision was
attempted. Microwave energy generator like domestic microwave oven fulfills the requirement. NR suffers
from poor solvent, weather, and thermal resistance. Synthetic rubbers that address these requirements were
also investigated for functionalization. NR as the template was used for functionalizing in its latex stage.
Chlorination and generation of in situ alumina were experimented. In addition to the chemical modification,
thermal-induced physical changes were also observed. Modified NR as base polymer was studied for adhesive
film formation in respect of loss of tackiness and generation of adhesive interface with the substrates. Finely
divided alumina so formed in the latex stage is expected to offer interesting set of properties of NR including
tire components.