Under-Sleeper Pads Rubber based on Epoxidized Natural Rubber Composites Filled with Fly Ash and Natural Fiber Hybrid Filler

This research aims to utilize natural latex and natural fiber as alternative fillers to replace traditional fillers such as silica and carbon black in the production of rubber products, specifically railway cushioning pads that are practical for real-world applications. The goal is to improve the properties of the products by using surplus natural latex and natural fibers as supplementary materials, which is an economically and environmentally promising approach. The surplus natural latex and natural fibers will be mixed with natural rubber, specifically epoxide natural rubber, which is a primary economic raw material of the country known for its good adhesion and high flexibility compared to other expensive and fragile materials such as cement, plastic, and various metals. The study will compare the usage of surplus natural latex and natural fibers in different ratios, 100 phr in total, to enhance the environmental resistance. Additionally, natural rubber will be mixed with ethylene-propylene diene rubber waste (EPDMw) in ratios of 60:40 and 70:30 to investigate the impact resilience, fatigue testing, permanent deformation from compression and impact, durability, vibration reduction, hardness, and appropriate design for practical applications.