SMR Test Methods – An Update

Dr. Faridah Hanim Ab HananDirector

Quality & Technical Services DivisionMalaysian Rubber Board

Content

1. Small intro to Quality & Technical Services Division2. Matters Arising from previous Dialogue Session in Dec 20163. Updates on Revision of SMR Bulletin No.74. Harmonisation of Test Method Standard for TSR at ASEAN5. Updates on Revision of ISO 1656 – Determination of Nitrogen by

Vietnam.6. Updates on Revision of ISO 4660 - Determination of Color7. Updates on Revision of ISO 2007 – Determination of plasticity8. Updates on Revision of ISO 2930 – Determination of plasticity

retention index (PRI)9. New Guidelines for Cuplumps and Raw Materials for SMR

Productions. 10. Brief information on SLIS

MRB ORGANISATION STRUCTURE

CHAIRMAN

DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL (RESEARCH & INNOVATION)

DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL (POLICY & OPERATION)

MRB EXPERIMENTAL

STATIONS

TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING

DIVISION

QUALITY & TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION

PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT

DIVISION

EXTENSION & DEVELOPMENT

DIVISION

ECONOMICS & RUBBER

EXCHANGE DIVISION

LICENSING, ENFORCEMENT

& SUPPORT SERVICESDIVISION

R&D CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

QUALITY & TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION

DIRECTOR

INDUSTRIAL TECHNICAL &

ADVISORY SERVICES

(ITAS)

REQULATORY & QUALITY

ASSURANCE PROGRAMME

(RQAP)

STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT

AGENCY(SDA)

METHOD DEVELOPMENT CHEMICAL TEST

(MDCT)

TECHNICAL REVISION &

HARMONISATION OF STANDARDS

(TRHS)

DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS &

SPECIFICATION FOR PRODUCT CERTIFICATION

(DSSPC)

ACCREDITATION & CERTIFICATION

PROGRAMME(A&C)

PRODUCTION OF PT MATERIALS

(PTM)

EQUIPMENT DEVELOPMENT

(EDP)

Matters Arising from Previous Dialogue Session.

• Participants were informed through email dated 18 April 2017 on the actions taken by MRB.

Harmonisation of Test Method Standards for TSR at ASEAN

• Currently there are 7 test method standards for TSR which have been harmonized at ASEAN.

• Harmonisation of TSR standards at ASEAN is based on the ISO standards.

• At this moment it will not affect the SMR Bulletin No.7.

• Harmonisation is done on a voluntary basis.

• Harmonisation is to facilitate trade.

Updates on Revision of SMR Bulletin No. 7 ( 5 main tests plus 2 additional

tests)No. Parameters Revision/Amendments

1 Dirt • On-going

2 Volatile Matter (VM) • On-going

3 Ash

• Formula for ash content • Changes in the tolerance of heating temperature for

muffle furnaces. So as to be inline with other internationally recognized stds.

4 Nitrogen Test

• Studies are currently ongoing to compare different technique for Nitrogen test on SMR using Kjeldahl; conventional vs semi auto distiller vs auto distiller and elemental analyzer. The studies are expected to be completed by Dec 2017

5Plasticity (P0)Plasticity Retention Index (PRI)

• On-going. The revision is expected to be completed by Dec 2017

Updates on Revision of SMR Bulletin No. 7

No. Parameters Amendments

6 Color • On-going

7 Mooney Viscosity (VR) • On-going

Updates on Revision of ISO Test Method for TSR

Revision of ISO 1656 – Determination of Nitrogen (PL is Vietnam)

• This proposal is to revise the current ISO 1656 by replacing the catalyst mixture of (Se/CuSO4·5H2O/K2SO4) with the mixture of (TiO2/CuSO4·5H2O/K2SO4).

Titanium dioxide mixture catalyst

Advantages Disadvantages

Much cheaper than Selenium

Longer digestion time

Revision of ISO 4660 - Determination of Color (PL is Malaysia)

• Revision includes addition of an alternative method for color determination by using spectrophotometer.

Advantages:

Reduce human error in colour determination.

Eliminate error due to light intensity.

Faster.

Revision of ISO 2007 – Determination of plasticity (PL is Malaysia)

• Inclusion of the schematic diagram for the parallel-plate plastimeter and punch

• Inclusion of heating device and temperature control system

• Inclusion of cigarette paper

• Change of the test piece thickness from 3mm to 3.4mm± 0.2mm

Revision of ISO 2930 - Determination of PRI (PL is Malaysia)

• The tolerance value for oven temperature has been changed to ± 0.5°C

• The description for lightweight aluminium tray and dishes has been modified.

• A new Annex to indicate an air change in oven for PRI determination has been added.

New Guidelines for Cuplump and Raw Materials for SMR productions.

New Guidelines for Cuplump and Raw Materials for SMR productions.

• The shortage of local raw materials has resulted in an increase in the processing cost owing to under-utilization of the processing capacity.

• To counter the problem, processors have resorted to sourcing their raw materials overseas.

• Since then the issue on quality and the impact of imported raw materials on the production of SMR has become a hot topic; debated mainly among consumers and tire manufacturers. Most of the consumers are very particular about the consistency of rubber quality which is very important for product manufacturers.

Importation of NR to Malaysia from 2005 – 2016 from ASEAN Countries

BRUNEI0%

LAOS 0%SINGAPORE

0%

CAMBODIA2%

MYANMAR3%

PHILIPPINES6%

INDONESIA5%

VIET NAM14%

THAILAND70%

BRUNEI LAOS SINGAPORE CAMBODIA MYANMAR PHILIPPINES INDONESIA VIET NAM THAILAND

New Guidelines for Cuplump and Raw Materials for SMR productions.

• To overcome the problem, it is suggested that a standard specification for cuplump and raw materials for SMR productions be drafted.

• A working group was established to initially draft a Malaysian Standards on the Specification for incoming raw materials for SMR production.

New Guidelines for Cuplump and Raw Materials for SMR productions.

The working group for deliberation comprises:

MARDEC BHD FELDA Continental Tyre Technology Centre Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. Malaysian SMR Rubber Processor Association Scientia Sdn. Bhd. Bahagian Kualiti & Perkhidmatan Teknikal, LGM Bahagian Teknologi & Kejuruteraan, LGM Bahagian Kualiti & Perkhidmatan Teknikal, LGM Pusat Kecemerlangan(COE), LGM

New Guidelines for Cuplump and Raw Materials for SMR productions.

• After the 3rd meeting, the group opted for the standard to be developed as RRIM Standard which is applicable to the rubber industries in Malaysia.

• Testing parameters were proposed to be included and the way forward for development is more for a guideline rather than a specification.

• Properties of raw rubbers recommended to be tested and test methods are given in the table below:

Physical and chemical properties Test method

Unaged rapid plasticity number, Po SMR Bulletin No. 7: Part B.8

Plasticity Retention Index (PRI) SMR Bulletin No. 7: Part B.8

Nitrogen (N) SMR Bulletin No. 7: Part B.7

Mooney Viscosity (VR) SMR Bulletin No. 7: Part B.9

New Guidelines for Cuplump and Raw Materials for SMR productions.

• Work is ongoing to further deliberate on whether to make the testing parameters mandatory or otherwise.

SMR Laboratory Integration System (SLIS)

SMR Laboratory Integration System (SLIS)

• An online system for SMR testing processes

– Registration of test sample

– Updates on testing data

– Verification of testing data

– Production of test report & certificate

– Increase lot

– Reduction intensity

– Directory

SMR Laboratory Integration System (SLIS)

• Status of development ;

– In the final stage of User acceptance testing (UAT)

• Expected to be completed by 3rd Quarter 2017

• Training to all SMR Laboratories will be conducted in 4th Quarter 2017

• Target to implement by 1st Quarter 2018

Thank You