Investigation of Dandelion (<i>Taraxacum officinale </i>G.) Plant as an Alternative Source for a Natural Rubber Production

Rubber that is one of the most important polymers naturally produced by plants is a strategic raw material. Since rubber is used in a wide variety of areas and natural rubber resources are heavily destroyed, synthetic rubbers are produced, especially using petroleum-based polymers. In this study, it was aimed to find a natural alternative to the rubber trees that are endangered and to the synthetic rubbers that are difficult to recycle and expensive. The <i>T. officinale </i>samples used as material in the study were collected from natural areas. The roots of the collected plants were broken into small pieces, they were kept in different solvents for 24 hours. After they filtered and formic acid was added, the prepared samples were kept for 24 hours. The part sinking to the bottom was taken and dried in a fume hood. The test paste was prepared by using 100 g of the produced rubber, 1% sulfur and 2% extender material. After the paste had reached the desired consistence, it was taken into hot press machine and the vulcanization process was completed (at 140 °C, for 7 minutes). Rheometer was used for vulcanization curve testing. The graph obtained in the rheometer was compared with the rubber graph prepared to obtain a product by adding various substances. As a result of the study, it was determined that by adding some substances to the structure of the produced rubber during the vulcanization according to the desired purpose, it can be used in various fields, and thus,<i> T. offcinale</i> can be an alternative natural rubber source.