2.2. Preparation of maleated natural rubber
Prior to the grafting reaction, both NR and Maleic Anhydride were conditioned by allowing them to dry in an
oven at 40 C for 24 hours. The preparation of maleated natural rubber (NR-g-MAH) was carried out in the molten state using dicumyl peroxide as the initiator. NRwas introduced into the mixing chamber of a Brabender Plasti-corder (Plastograph EC) and sheared at 145 C and a rotor speed of 60 RPM for two minutes before adding 0.1 phr of the peroxide and 1 phr of maleic anhydride. The reaction was then allowed to continue for 10 minutes. The obtained mass was then
ground into small pieces.