Mechanism of the foaming agent‐assisted microwave drying process on the construction of natural raw rubber network and cross‐linking network

Abstract The drying process of natural rubber latex significantly affects the structure of the raw rubber network and vulcanizate crosslinking network, resulting in various anti‐aging performances. In the present study, a microwave generator was used as an efficient source of clean energy; potassium oleate was introduced as a foaming agent to increase the porosity and water loss channel of the latex system. Aiming at dehydrating and drying natural rubber latex efficiently, an aging resistant rubber composite was prepared. Meanwhile, the mechanism of the foaming agent‐assisted microwave drying process on the raw rubber network and the cross‐linking network was studied. The experimental results show that the prepared rubber using by this process has higher plastic retention and fluidity. Moreover, it contains more non‐rubber components (e.g. protein and acetone extract) and better network structure of raw rubber and vulcanized rubber. It is found that applying this process increases the tensile product by 13.5% and the retention rate of the tensile product after aging by 15.3 times. This process is important for the development of the rubber industry in the direction of green environmental protection, energy conservation, and high efficiency.