Abstract:
This research is based on the mixing of vein graphite powder with rubber compound; which is
used to produce polymer-based mallets. Based on the records from the industry, normally these
mallets have a higher curing time. So, this research aimed in reducing cure time by improving the
thermal properties in the compound. The compound was mixed with vein graphite powder at
different weight ratios and investigate the mechanical and thermal behavior. The graphite powder
was used as a filler and was mixed with rubber compound at 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%. Under the
mechanical properties in the samples, the tensile strength, resiliency, specific gravity, ML and MH
were done and checked and analyzed their results. This work includes the behavior of mechanical
properties of the compound with increasing graphite percentage up to 10%. Also, thermal
conductivity, thermal diffusivity, specific heat capacity, TS2 and TC90 in the samples were
investigated under the thermal properties of that sample compounds. Thermal conductivity of the
compound was increased and TC90 was the same as the normal sample. Other properties were
nearly the same as the normal sample. Hence the curing time of the mallet can be reduced using
this modified compound.
Citation:
Gunawardhane, H.M.D., Abhysinghe, I.M.S., & Abeygunawardane, A.A.G.A. (2021). Investigation of thermo-mechanical behavior in polymer based mallet compound with graphite [Abstract]. In A.A.G.A. Abeygunawardane (Ed.), Innovative materials through mathematical modeling and simulations (p. 10). Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Moratuwa.