Arab J Sci Eng DOI 10.1007/s13369-017-2859-6 RESEARCH ARTICLE - CHEMISTRY Utilization of Bagasse Ash as a Filler in Natural Rubber and Styrene–Butadiene Rubber Composites Pathompong Pangamol 1 · Wadsana Malee 1 · Ruthaichanok Yujaroen 2 · Pongdhorn Sae-Oui 3 · Chomsri Siriwong 4 Received: 21 January 2017 / Accepted: 5 October 2017 © King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals 2017 Abstract Possibility of utilizing bagasse ash (BA) as a filler for natural rubber (NR) and styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) was investigated. Detailed measurement by several tech- niques was used to characterize. Various loadings of BA (0– 30 phr) were then incorporated into NR and SBR. Morphol- ogy and properties of the BA filled rubbers were finally inves- tigated. It was found that BA contained SiO 2 as the major constituent with other metal oxides, such as CaO, Al 2 O 3 and K 2 O, as the minor constituents. The average size of the particles and specific surface area of the BA were 48.8 μm and 36.3 m 2 g −1 , respectively. When incorporated into the rubbers, both scorch and cure times decreased, whereas ten- sile modulus ( M 100 ) and hardness slightly increased with greater loadings of BA. Interestingly, tensile strength and tear strength did not significantly change with the addition of BA up to 30 phr. The results indicate the potential of using BA as a filler in the rubber industry for cost reduction and raising the environmental credentials of the product. Keywords Bagasse ash · Natural rubber · Styrene–butadiene rubber · Mechanical properties · Composites B Chomsri Siriwong schoms@kku.ac.th 1 Polymer Research and Development Co., Ltd., Samut Prakan 10540, Thailand 2 School of Polymer Engineering, Institute of Engineer, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakorn Ratchasima 30000, Thailand 3 MTEC, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand 4 Materials Chemistry Research Center, Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand 1 Introduction Particulate fillers have been extensively utilized as addi- tives in many rubber products. There are two types of fillers that can be added to rubber, namely reinforcing and non- reinforcing filler. In engineering applications, a reinforcing filler is preferred over non-reinforcing, because of its ability enhance rubber properties [1–3]. Examples of the reinforc- ing fillers used in the rubber industry are silica and carbon black which can improve the mechanical properties of rub- ber products. Rubber containing such fillers has improved tensile strength [1], good abrasion resistance [2], high mod- ulus of elasticity and hardness [2, 4]. The silica that is used in the rubber industry includes precipitated silica prepared by precipitation of an aqueous sodium silicate solution and fume silica produced by pyrogenic process. Recently, the rubber industry has shown an increasing interest in bio-based fillers because of their environmentally friendly credentials and renewable nature. Natural sources for silica used as an alternative bio-based reinforcing filler in rubber compos- ites include rice husk ash and fly ash [5–7]. In addition to the environmental issues and economic benefits, the use of natural-based silica offers superior mechanical properties and enhanced dimensional stability of the vulcanizates [7– 9]. Bagasse is a fibrous material that remains after the extrac- tion of sugarcane juice by a milling process in the sugar production. The main composition of this inhomogeneous material includes cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin with approximately 1–4% ash. It is generally used as a source of energy for sugar mills or power plants. The residue obtained from the combustion process is called bagasse ash (BA). As global sugar consumption rapidly increases, the quan- tity of BA significantly increases with the production of sugar. In 2008, the total mass of BA manufactured in Thai- 123