Analytical Study of the Relationship Between Rubber Compound Formulation and Dynamic Mechanical Performance of Vibration-Damping Components in Nigerian Industrial Equipment

Vibration-damping rubber components are essential in rotating machinery and structural isolation applications across Nigerian manufacturing and mining industries, yet the quantitative relationship between compound formulation and dynamic mechanical performance under tropical service conditions is inadequately characterised for locally produced compounds. This study analytically investigates the effect of rubber type, filler loading, plasticiser content, and crosslink density on the dynamic mechanical properties of compounded rubber products targeted at vibration isolation applications in industrial equipment operating in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. Compounds based on natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, and their blends were prepared with carbon black loadings from 30 to 60 parts per hundred rubber and varying sulphur crosslink densities. Dynamic mechanical analysis measured storage modulus, loss modulus, and tan delta across frequencies of 1 to 100 Hz and temperatures of minus 20 to 80 degrees Celsius. Equilibrium swelling in toluene determined crosslink density. Creep compliance and compression set were measured to assess long-term deformation resistance. Results demonstrate that natural rubber/styrene-butadiene rubber 60:40 blends with 40 parts per hundred carbon black produced the most favourable combination of loss factor tan delta of 0.18 at 10 Hz with low compression set of 12 percent after 24 hours at 70 degrees Celsius. Increasing crosslink density reduced compression set but elevated dynamic stiffness, affecting isolation efficiency at low frequencies. The study provides a compound formulation database relating vulcanisate structure to dynamic performance parameters, supporting engineering design of vibration isolation components by rubber manufacturers in South East Nigeria. Keywords: rubber compound, dynamic mechanical properties, vibration damping, natural rubber, crosslink density