Ahmed, S., Oleiwi, J., Hamad, Q. (2025). The influence of the alkali-treated bamboo particles on the rubber blend properties for medical applications. , 43(12), 1152-1163. doi: 10.30684/etj.2025.163267.1991
Shaymaa J. Ahmed; Jawad K. Oleiwi; Qahtan A. Hamad. "The influence of the alkali-treated bamboo particles on the rubber blend properties for medical applications". , 43, 12, 2025, 1152-1163. doi: 10.30684/etj.2025.163267.1991
Ahmed, S., Oleiwi, J., Hamad, Q. (2025). 'The influence of the alkali-treated bamboo particles on the rubber blend properties for medical applications', , 43(12), pp. 1152-1163. doi: 10.30684/etj.2025.163267.1991
Ahmed, S., Oleiwi, J., Hamad, Q. The influence of the alkali-treated bamboo particles on the rubber blend properties for medical applications. , 2025; 43(12): 1152-1163. doi: 10.30684/etj.2025.163267.1991

The influence of the alkali-treated bamboo particles on the rubber blend properties for medical applications

Engineering and Technology Journal
Volume 43, Issue 12, December 2025, Pages 1152-1163    PDF (1.27 M)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.30684/etj.2025.163267.1991
Authors
Shaymaa J. Ahmed* ; Jawad K. Oleiwi; Qahtan A. Hamad
College of Materials Engineering, University of Technology-Iraq, Alsina’a street, 10066 Baghdad, Iraq.
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of chemical treatment on the mechanical properties of bamboo particle-reinforced grafted binary rubber blend systems (RTV-SIR/PUR), particularly for medical applications such as Solid Ankle Cashion heel (SACH) prosthetic feet. The Grafted binary rubber blend composite is consisting of Polyurethane (PUR) with (10, 20, and 30 wt.%) of Room temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (RTV-SIR) with presence of 0.1% of Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as coupling agent to more compatibility, and added different percentage of treated bamboo particles (3, 6, and 9 wt.%) that treated by 5% of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH). The effectiveness of the alkali treatment in eliminating contaminants, enhancing the surface appearance of natural bamboo particles, and improving the bonding between the particles and blend constituents was verified using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The molecular composition of the samples was assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Samples were made utilizing vacuum desiccators. The Mechanical properties, including tensile, tear, compression, and hardness, were measured by a material testing system. The results show that a grafted binary blend composite exhibits better mechanical properties when containing less than 30% RTV-SIR. In contrast, increasing the loading of treated bamboo particles to 9 wt.% results in the best properties of the samples. This grafted composite rubber blend is supported by the results presented in this study, which demonstrate a new composition for SACH feet that replaces traditional materials (polyurethane foam) and is feasible due to the use of liquid materials.

Highlights
  • Alkali treatment is an effective way to enhance the natural fillers.
  • A chemical agent is used for an immiscible blend.
  • Grafted PUR/RTV-SIR binary blend systems are miscible up to 25%.
  • Bamboo particles develop the mechanical properties of the PUR/RTV-SIR blend system.
  • The composite rubber blend system is a suitable alternative to manufacturing the SACH prosthetic foot.
Keywords
Binary rubber blend; Alkali treatment; Bamboo particles; Mechanical properties; Silicone rubber
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