Conservators have long been aware of the problems associated with the preservation of rubber objects due to inherent instability that can be attributed, in part, to the presence of additives. Inorganic additives, such as fillers, accelerators, stabilizers, and special ingredients are necessary in manufacturing to alter the properties of natural rubber. These materials all have different interactions with the rubber, and each other, and differing effects on the ageing process. To date, the most effective and accepted methods to preserve rubber are cold, dark storage of objects, or the use of low oxygen environments. While these methods are effective, they greatly limit access. The application of coatings to the surface of rubber objects can slow deterioration and greatly increase the ability of an institution to handle and display rubber objects. While numerous coatings for preventive and interventive treatment have been tested, none have been so successful to warrant routine use. The first section of this research highlighted the relationship between the inclusion of certain additives in natural rubber objects and the accelerated or slowed down overall degradation. In the second part of this research, the acrylic varnishes Golden Polymer Varnish with UVLS, Lascaux Acrylic Transparent Varnish-UV, Sennelier Matte Lacquer with UV Protection, and Liquitex Soluvar Varnish containing ultraviolet light absorbers or stabilizers were tested as a preventative coating for rubber. Through testing the visual and physical properties of the samples, as well as compound analysis the results of this research suggest that acrylic varnishes do provide protection, each to varying degrees. The results also provided insight into the behavior of rubber and these varnishes with continuing light exposure. / Thesis (Master, Art Conservation) -- Queen's University, 2013-10-04 20:14:54.597

L’objectif de ce travail de thèse était l’amélioration de la compatibilité de mélanges d’acide polylactique et de caoutchouc naturel (mélanges PLA/NR) par l’ajout de dérivés du caoutchouc naturel comme agents compatibilisants. Le caoutchouc naturel a été modifié selon deux approches : synthèse d’un copolymère greffé caoutchouc- poly(vinyl acétate) (NR-g-PVAc) et synthèse de polymères à blocks PLA-NR et PLA-NR-PLA. Les mélanges PLA/NR ont été préparés par extrusion dans une extrudeuse à double vis et moulées par compression pour obtenir des feuilles de 2 mm d’épaisseur. Les mélanges contenaient 10-20% en poids de NR et NR modifiée. La résistance au choc et les propriétés en traction ont été étudiées. L’effet de compatibilisation a été déterminé par DMTA, DSC et MEB. NR-g-PVAc a été synthétisé par polymérisation en émulsion pour obtenir de copolymères avec différents contenus en PVAc greffé (1%, 5% and 12%). La caractérisation des matériaux par DMTA a montré une augmentation de la miscibilité des mélanges PLA/NR-g-PVAc.NR-g-PVAc a résulté être un agent durcissant pour le PLA et un agent compatibilisant pour les mélanges PLA/NR. Les polymères à bloc ont été synthétisés selon deux routes : (1) NR hydroxy téléquelique (HTNR) et lactide et (2) NR hydroxy téléquelique et pré-polymère PLA. Dans la première approche, le lactide a été polymérisé in situ à travers la polymérisation par ouverture de cycle pour donner un bloc. Dans la deuxième approche, le pré-polymère PLA a été synthétisé par polymérisation directe de l’acide L-lactique avant copolymérisation à blocs. Les deux types de copolymères se sont révélés de bons agents compatibilisants pour les mélanges PLA/NR, car ils ont augmenté la résistance au choc et ils ont diminué la taille des particules de caoutchouc. / The aim of this research work was to improve the compatibility of polymer blends made from poly(lactic acid) and natural rubber (PLA/NR blends) by using modified natural rubber as a compatibilizer. Natural rubber was chemically modified into two categories: natural rubber grafted poly(vinyl acetate) copolymer (NR-g-PVAc) and block copolymers (PLA-NR diblock copolymer and PLA-NR-PLA triblock copolymer). PLA/NR blends were prepared by melting blending in a twin screw extruder and compression molded to obtain a 2-mm thick sheet. The blends contained 10-20 wt% of NR and modified NR, and the impact strength and tensile properties were investigated. The compatibilization effect was determined by DMTA, DSC and SEM. NR-g-PVAc was synthesized by emulsion polymerization to obtain different PVAc graft contents (1%, 5% and 12%). Characterization by DMTA showed an enhancement in miscibility of the PLA/NR-g-PVAc blends. NR-g-PVAc could be used as a toughening agent of PLA and as a compatibilizer of the PLA/NR blend. The block copolymers were synthesized following two routes: (1) hydroxyl telechelic natural rubber (HTNR) and lactide and (2) HTNR and PLA prepolymer. In the former route, lactide was in situ polymerized via a ring opening polymerization to be a PLA block segment during block copolymerization. In the latter route PLA prepolymer was synthesized by a condensation polymerization of L-lactic acid prior to block copolymerization. Both block copolymers acted as good compatibilizers for the PLA/NR blend by increasing the impact strength and decreasing the NR particle size. Triblock copolymers provided higher impact strength than diblock copolymers, and they were a less effective compatibilizer than NR-g-PVAc. In contrast to NR and NR-g-PVAc, the block copolymer was not a good toughening agent for PLA.

A reciclagem de materiais poliméricos tem sido objeto de estudos a fim de poupar recursos naturais, principalmente de fontes não renováveis, com objetivo de minimizar os impactos causados ao meio ambiente. Nesse cenário, aparecem os materiais elastoméricos, como a borracha, principalmente na utilizada da fabricação de pneus, uma vez que a indústria pneumática consome aproximadamente 60% da produção de borracha. Como a destinação final de forma ambientalmente correta do pneu é uma exigência devidamente amparada por normas e leis nacionais e internacionais, o objetivo desse trabalho é desenvolver um estudo sobre a eficácia das irradiações das micro-ondas no processo de desvulcanização do pó de pneu. Para esse estudo as amostras de pó de pneu foram submetidas a irradiações de micro-ondas, e posteriormente incorporadas às matrizes poliméricas de NR (borracha natural) e SBR (borracha de butadieno-estireno), e caracterizadas para verificação de suas propriedades. Para caracterização das amostras foram utilizados os seguintes ensaios: Espectroscopia no Infravermelho (FTIR), Dureza, Resistência à Tração e Alongamento, Reometria, Índice de Inchamento, Análise Termogravimétrica (TGA) e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV). Verificou-se viabilidade técnica da incorporação do pó de pneu nas matrizes de NR e SBR, uma vez que alguns resultados mostraram que a adição do pó de pneu irradiado via micro-ondas não ocasionou perdas significativas nas propriedades mecânicas e térmicas dos compostos. / The recycling of polymeric materials has been studied in order to save natural resources, mainly from non-renewable sources, in order to minimize the impacts caused to the environment. In this scenario, there are elastomeric materials, such as rubber, mainly used in tire manufacturing, since the pneumatic industry consumes approximately 60% of rubber production. As the final destination of an environmentally correct tire is a requirement, duly supported by national and international laws and regulations, the objective of this work is to develop a study on the efficiency of microwave irradiation in the process of tire powder devulcanization. For this study the tire powder samples were subjected to microwave irradiation, and later incorporated into the polymer matrices of NR (natural rubber) and SBR (butadiene-styrene rubber), and characterized for verification of their properties. For characterization of the samples the following tests were used: Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Hardness, Tensile Strength and Stretching, Rheometry, Swell Index, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (MEV). It was verified the technical feasibility of the incorporation of the tire powder in the NR and SBR matrices, since some results showed that the addition of the tire powder irradiated by microwave did not cause significant losses in the mechanical and thermal properties of the compounds.

Les effets du caoutchouc nitrile (NBR), du traitement de la surface des fibres et du noir de carbone sur les propriétés des composites à base de caoutchouc naturel renforcé par des fibres d'ananas (NR / PALF) ont été étudiés. L'incorporation de NBR et le traitement de surface de la fibre ont été utilisés pour améliorer les propriétés mécaniques des composites à faible déformation, alors que le noir de carbone a été utilisé pour améliorer ces propriétés à forte déformation. La teneur en fibres a été fixée à 10 phr. Les matériaux composites ont été préparés à l'aide d'un mélangeur à cylindres et ont été réticulés sous presse permettant ainsi le maintien de l'orientation des fibres. Ces composites ont été caractérisés à l’aide du rhéomètre à matrice mobile (MDR), par analyse thermique mécanique dynamique (DMTA) et par tests de traction. La morphologie après fracture cryogénique a été observée à l'aide de la microscopie électronique à balayage (MEB). L'effet du NBR dont la teneur varie de 0 à 20 phr par rapport à la teneur totale en caoutchouc, a été également étudié. Le NBR est utilisé afin d’encapsuler totalement les fibres d’ananas (PALF) ; ceci conduisant à un meilleur transfert de contraintes entre la matrice et les fibres. La méthode de mélange a également été étudiée. Plusieurs types de silanes tels que le propylsilane, l'allylsilane et le silane-69 ont été utilisés pour traiter les fibres pré-nettoyées à l’aide d’un traitement alcalin. Les fibres silanisées ont été caractérisées par spectroscopie infrarouge à transformée de Fourier (FTIR), par spectroscopie de photoélectrons aux rayons X (XPS) et par MEB. Le traitement de la fibre par le silane-69 a permis d’augmenter fortement le module du matériau composite à faible déformation. Ce traitement a été plus efficace que l'incorporation de NBR dans les composites NR / PALF. Ceci peut s’expliquer par une possible réticulation chimique entre le caoutchouc et la fibre traitée au silane-69 plutôt qu’une simple interaction physique du NR, du NBR et de la fibre. Cependant, le renforcement par fibre réduit la déformation à la rupture. Par conséquent, du noir de carbone a également été incorporé dans les composites NR/NBR/PALF et NR/ PALF traitée, afin d’améliorer leurs propriétés ultimes. En incorporant du noir de carbone à un taux de 30 phr dans les deux composites, les propriétés mécaniques des composites ont été améliorées et peuvent être contrôlées à la fois à des déformations faibles et hautes. / The effects of nitrile rubber (NBR), fiber surface treatment and carbon black on properties of pineapple leaf fiber-reinforced natural rubber composites (NR/PALF) were studied. The incorporation of NBR and surface treatment of fiber were used to improve the mechanical properties of composites at low deformation, whereas carbon black was used to improve these properties at high deformation. The fiber content was fixed at 10 phr. The composites were prepared using two-roll mill and were cured using compression moulding with keeping the fiber orientation. These composites were characterized using moving die rheometer (MDR), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and tensile testing. The morphology after cryogenic fracture was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of NBR from 0 to 20 phr of total rubber content was investigated. NBR is proposed to encase PALF leading to higher stress transfer between matrix and PALF. The method of mixing was also studied. For the fiber surface treatment, propylsilane, allylsilane and silane-69 were treated on the alkali-treated fiber. Treated fibers were characterized using Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and SEM. Silane-69 treatment of fiber increased the modulus at low deformation more than the incorporation of NBR of NR/PALF composites due to the chemical crosslinking between rubber and fiber from silane-69 treatment rather than the physical interaction of NR, NBR and fiber. However, reinforcement by fiber reduced the deformation at break. Hence, carbon black was also incorporated into NR/NBR/PALF and NR/surface-treated PALF composites to improve the ultimate properties. By incorporation of carbon black 30 phr in both composites, the mechanical properties of composites were improved and can be controlled at both low and high deformations.

Le caoutchouc naturel produit du latex d'Hevea brasiliensis a des propriétés remarquables qui n'ont jamais été égalées par ses homologues synthétiques. Toutefois, ce matériau d'origine naturel présente un désavantage : la variabilité non négligeable de ses propriétés. Cette dernière est partiellement attribuée aux 3 à 5 % de composés non isoprènes (lipides, protéines, sucres et minéraux) présents dans le caoutchouc naturel. Parmi les facteurs pouvant être tenus comme responsables de cette variabilité, l'origine clonale semble prépondérante. L'objectif principal de cette étude était d'évaluer l'impact de l'origine clonale sur la variabilité en composition biochimique du latex (lipides, protéines, sucres et éléments minéraux) et sur les caractéristiques mésostructurales du caoutchouc naturel; puis d'étudier les relations pouvant exister entre le génotype, la composition biochimique du latex et la mésostructure du caoutchouc. Cette étude a été conduite sur 5 clones d'Hevea brasiliensis : GT1, RRIM600, PB235, PB217 et PB260. Des études préalables à la caractérisation clonale ont permis de déterminer les conditions d'échantillonnage à mettre en œuvre pour pratiquer des prélèvements de latex clonaux les plus représentatifs possible des clones. Le latex étant un matériau instable, il été choisi de travailler sur du latex lyophilisé pour l'analyse de tous les composés biochimiques du latex (autres que les lipides) et pour l'étude de la mésostructure du caoutchouc naturel. Des protocoles d'extractions des protéines et des sucres sur lyophilisat de latex ont été développés en se basant sur les propriétés de solubilisation du caoutchouc naturel en milieu organique. L'extraction des lipides a été réalisée en suivant le protocole mis au point sur plantation sur latex frais par Liengrayoon (Liengprayoon, 2008). Les différents résultats obtenus au niveau de la composition biochimique du latex et de la mésostructure du caoutchouc ont permis de mettre en évidence l'importante de l'origine clonale des latex. L'étude des relations entre le génotype et la composition biochimique du latex (ACP) a clairement montré que l'origine clonale jouait un rôle important dans la variabilité totale des données biochimiques du latex. Les analyses des relations entre la biochimie du latex et la mésostructure du caoutchouc naturel ont permis de mettre en évidence des corrélations intéressantes des lipides et des protéines avec la mésostructure (essentiellement Mn et I). Cette analyse biochimique clonale des latex s'est révélée pertinente pour étudier la diversité clonale et ses répercutions sur la mésostructure du caoutchouc naturel. Cette approche de la diversité clonale d'Hevea brasiliensis, ainsi que les connaissances acquises lors de cette étude constituent une base de données solide à compléter par des études futures sur des plantations différentes, des clones différents et des analyses biochimiques et structurales plus poussées. / Natural rubber produced from Hevea brasiliensis latex possesses remarkable properties which have not been matched by its synthetic counterparts. However, this natural origin material presents a disadvantage: the significant variability of its properties. This variability has been partly ascribed to the 3 to 5% non isoprene components (lipids, proteins, sugars and minerals) present in the natural rubber. Among the factors that could be held responsible for this variability, clonal origin seems to be decisive.The main aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of clonal origin on the biochemical latex composition and on natural rubber mésostructural characteristics and also to study relationships between genotype, latex biochemical composition and rubber mesostructure. This study was conducted with five Hevea brasiliensis clones: GT1, RRIM600, PB235, PB217 and PB260. Before clonal characterization, preliminary studies were performed to determine the suitable sampling conditions in order to get the latex samples that represented as much as possible the clones. Fresh latex is an unstable material. It was decided to work on freeze-dried latex for the biochemical components analysis (except lipids) and for the natural rubber mesostructure study. Protocols for proteins and sugars' extractions on freeze-dried latex have been developed on the natural rubber solubilizing properties in organic media. Lipids extractions was performed according to the protocol developed by Liengrayoon (Liengprayoon , 2008) on fresh latex.The different results obtained on the latex biochemical composition and the natural rubber mesostructure allowed to clearly observe the clonal origin importance. Study of relationships between genotype and latex biochemical composition (PCA) has clearly shown that the clonal origin played an important role in the total variability of latex biochemical data. Analysis of relationships between latex biochemistry and natural rubber mesostructure helped highlight interesting correlations of lipids and proteins with mesostructure (mainly Mn and I).This biochemical analysis of clonal latex has proved to be appropriate for studying the clonal diversity and its repercussions on the natural rubber mesostructure. This approach of Hevea brasiliensis clonal diversity, and the knowledge gained from this study, provides a solid basis to be completed by further studies on different plantations, different clones and further biochemical and structural analyses.

O processo de moldagem de pós por injeção (MPI) é uma tecnologia relativamente recente e permite a fabricação de peças e componentes de diversos materiais, com a possibilidade de fabricar peças em larga escala. O processo MPI é composto por quatro etapas: mistura do pó com o material orgânico (ligante), moldagem por injeção, extração do ligante e sinterização. O ligante é um veículo temporário composto por polímeros e/ou ceras e sua função é possibilitar o escoamento da carga injetável para o molde durante a moldagem por injeção e após a moldagem este deve ser totalmente removido da peça. A maioria dos polímeros utilizados no ligante é oriunda do petróleo, que é uma fonte não renovável que gera sérios impactos ambientais. Neste estudo foi proposto a utilização de ligante à base de borracha natural, que além de ser proveniente de fonte renovável, confere elasticidade à peça moldada, que possibilita a fácil desmoldagem de peças com geometria complexa e pequenas espessuras. Também se analisou a substituição da parafina, que estudada em trabalhos anteriores em ligante para injeção de alumina com a borracha natural, pela cera de carnaúba na moldagem por injeção de pó de ferro metálico. Foram avaliados três ligantes à base de borracha natural e as ceras: (i) parafina, (ii) cera de carnaúba e (iii) parafina + cera de carnaúba e estudou-se o efeito da composição do ligante em cada etapa do processo MPI. Investigou-se as propriedades químicas e térmicas dos ligantes, o teor de pó admissível nas cargas injetáveis, as rotas de remoção do ligante por via térmica e solvente e as propriedades finais como retração linear, porosidade, microestrutura e resistência à flexão. As composições de ligante a base de borracha natural e cera de carnaúba proporcionaram melhores propriedades ao processo MPI. Nestas composições foi possível a moldagem por injeção de cargas injetáveis com maior teor de pó, apresentaram maior estabilidade reológica, em que a viscosidade apresentou baixa variação em relação à temperatura e maior estabilidade com o aumento do teor de pó. Além disso, foram as únicas amostras que não apresentaram defeitos durante a extração por solvente e apresentaram propriedades finais satisfatórias para o processo MPI de ferro. / The Powder Injection Molding process (PIM) is a relatively new technology and allows the manufacturing of parts and components of various materials, with the possibility of fabricating parts in microscale. The PIM process is composed of four steps: mix the powder with the organic material (binder), injection molding, extraction of the binder and sintering. The binder is a temporary vehicle composed of polymers and/or waxes and its function is to allow the flow of the feedstock into the mold during injection molding, and after molding this should be completely removed from the sample. Most of the polymers used in the binder are derived from petroleum, which is a non-renewable source that generates serious environmental impacts. In this study, it was proposed the use of binder based on polymer and wax from renewable sources that reduce the environmental impact. It was analyzed the substitution of paraffin, which was studied in previous studies with natural rubber, by the carnauba wax in the injection molding of the iron carbonyl. Were evaluated three binders based on polymer and wax: (i) paraffin, (ii) carnauba wax and (iii) paraffin wax carnauba wax and we studied the binder composition effect in each step of PIM process. The chemical and thermal binder properties, the critical powder volume concentration, the solvent and thermal debinding and the sintered properties were analyzed. As results, we found that the natural rubber and carnauba wax binder have better PIM process properties. In this binder was possible an injection molding with higher powder content, showing higher rheological stability, which the viscosity was more stable under temperature and powder content variation. Furthermore, the samples with this binder shown no defects after solvent debinding and suitable sintered properties for the iron PIM process.

A combinação de excelentes propriedades mecânicas aliadas à biocompatibilidade torna a borracha natural um material amplamente empregado na fabricação de artefatos voltados à saúde, tais como bicos de chupetas e de mamadeiras, e luvas cirúrgicas e de procedimentos não-cirúrgicos. Esses artefatos são processados a partir de látices de poli(cis-isopreno) extraído de seringueiras. Entretanto, o grande número de insaturações presentes na cadeia polimérica, mesmo após a vulcanização, resulta em uma baixa resistência desse material ao envelhecimento, causado principalmente pela associação de fatores como temperatura, oxigênio, ozônio e radiação. Outro inconveniente associado à aplicação da borracha natural é a presença de proteínas no látex, com potencial alergênico, podendo promover reações fisiológicas em alguns usuários. Por esse motivo artefatos comerciais à base de material sintético também são encontrados no mercado. Esses artefatos também não são isentos dos processos naturais de desgaste e decomposição. Esta Dissertação teve como objetivo realizar um estudo comparativo de propriedades dos produtos comerciais à base de borracha natural e à base de material sintético (bicos de chupeta e de mamadeiras e luvas) de diferentes fabricantes, como adquiridos e após sofrerem envelhecimento acelerado. O estudo foi feito empregando-se as técnicas de espectroscopia na região do infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR) e termogravimetria (TG). Uma avaliação mecânica com métodos padronizados foi também realizada / By combining the excellent mechanical properties as well as biocompatibility, natural rubber is a suitable material to be applied in the manufacture of commercial articles as pacifiers, nursing bottles and gloves. Those products are processed from lattices of poly(cis-isoprene) extracted from rubber-trees. Nevertheless, the expressive amount of insaturations present along the polymeric chains, even after the vulcanization process, leads to degradation mainly caused by an association of factors as heat, oxygen, ozone and radiation. Another inconvenience in the application of natural rubber is the presence of some proteins in the latex, which causes allergic problems in a few usuaries. Thus synthetic materials are also employed in the production of such articles that are not free from degradation problems as well. The objective of this Dissertation was to carry out a comparative study of some properties of commercial products (nipples, of pacifiers and nursing bottles, and gloves) from different manufacturers. The materials were characterized, as received and after being submitted to accelerated degradation, by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetry (TG). Some mechanical properties were also evaluated by employing standard methods

Une suspension aqueuse de nanocristaux d'amidon de maïs cireux est obtenue par hydrolyse acide de grains d'amidon (longueur:40-60nm, largeur:15-30nm, épaisseur:5-7nm). Le premier objectif de la thèse est l'optimisation de la préparation de ces nanocristaux par la mise en place d'un plan d'expériences. Leur structure moléculaire est ensuite étudiée par dégradation enzymatique, et leur modification chimique de surface est envisagée. Le deuxième objectif est l'utilisation de ces nanocristaux comme charge de renfort dans une matrice polymère. Deux polymères naturels ont été choisis: le latex de caoutchouc naturel et l'amidon thermopalstique. Les nanocomposites, mis en oeuvre par casting, sont caractérisés en termes de propriétés morphologiques, structurales, barrière et mécaniques.

Rubber tree is one of the main plants which play an important role in the economy of Southeastern region, Vietnam. Approximately 90% of Vietnamese natural rubber latex is exported as raw products. The preliminary process of natural rubber latex discharges a large amount of wastewater to the environment. In Vietnam, there are many available technologies set up and operated for treatment wastewater of rubber latex processing. However, the effluent quality is still poor and the concentration of pollutants is higher than the required national technical regulation on the effluent of the natural rubber processing industry (QCVN 01:2008/BTNMT). Thus, this paper summarizes various technologies and methods currently applied for the treatment of latex processing wastewater in Vietnam. Additionally, the new effective methods being researched and applied in Thailand and Malaysia are also mentioned (countries with the highest production of natural rubber in the world). This paper also provides a screening of treatment technologies for reducing environmental pollution and contributing to high-quality effluent for meeting the required standard. / Cao su là một trong những cây trồng chính và đóng vai trò quan trọng trong nền kinh tế của miền Đông Nam Bộ, Việt Nam. Sản phẩm từ cây cao su thiên nhiên tại Việt Nam chủ yếu là xuất khẩu (khoảng 90%), tuy nhiên chỉ mới là dạng cao su thiên nhiên sơ chế. Quá trình sơ chế mủ cao su thiên nhiên thải bỏ một lượng lớn nước thải vào môi trường. Ở Việt Nam, hiện tại có rất nhiều công nghệ xử lý nước thải sơ chế mủ cao su đã được thiết lập và vận hành. Tuy nhiên, nồng độ ô nhiễm trong nước thải sau quá trình xử lý còn cao so với tiêu chuẩn yêu cầu (QCVN 01:2008/BTNMT). Vì vậy, bài báo này tóm tắt những công nghệ và phương pháp khác nhau được sử dụng để xử lý nước thải sơ chế mủ cao su tại Việt Nam gần đây. Thêm vào đó, những phương pháp mới và hiệu quả đang được nghiên cứu và áp dụng tại Malaysia và Thái Lan, những quốc gia có sản lượng sản xuất mủ cao su cao nhất trên thế giới cũng được giới thiệu. Bài báo này cũng cung cấp sự đa dạng của những phương pháp xử lý nhằm giảm thiểu ô nhiễm môi trường và góp phần đảm bảo chất lượng nước đầu ra đạt tiêu chuẩn cho phép.

Ballistic fabrics made from high performance polymeric fibers such as Kevlar®, Twaron® and Spectra® fibers and composites utilizing these fabrics are among the leading materials for modern body armor systems. Polymeric fibers used to produce ballistic fabrics often behave viscoelastically and exhibit time- and rate-dependent stress-strain relations. This necessitates the study of the constitutive behavior of composites filled by ballistic fabrics. Rheological models based on discrete rheological components (including spring and dashpot) have been widely used to study the viscoelastic behavior of polymeric fabrics. Such rheological (or viscoelasticity) models are qualitatively useful in understanding the effects of various micro-mechanisms and molecular features on the macroscopic responses of ballistic fabrics. In the present work, the constitutive behavior of Twaron CT709® fabric/natural rubber (Twaron®/NR) composite is studied using three viscoelasticity models (i.e., a four-parameter Burgers model, a three-parameter generalized Maxwell (GMn=1) model, a five-parameter generalized Maxwell (GMn=2) model) and a newly developed para-rheological model. The new model utilizes a three-parameter element to represent the Twaron® fabric and the affine network based molecular theory of rubber elasticity to account for the deformation mechanisms of the NR constituent. The uniaxial stress-strain relation of the Twaron®/NR composite at two constant strain rates is experimentally determined. The values of the parameters involved in all the models are extracted from the experimental data obtained in this study. The stress-relaxation response (under a uniaxial constant strain) and the creep deformation (under a uniaxial constant stress) of the composite are also experimentally measured. The three viscoelasticity models considered here are capable of predicting the viscoelastic constitutive behavior of the composite with different levels of accuracy. The stress-strain relation at each strain rate predicted by the newly developed para-rheological model is seen to be in good agreement with the measured stress-strain curve over the entire strain range studied. It is shown that the new model also predicts the elastic moduli and ultimate stress of the Twaron®/NR composite well. All the four models are found to predict the initial relaxation response of the composite fairly well, while the long-term stress relaxation is more accurately represented by the para-rheological model. An implicit solution provided by the para-rheological model is shown to predict the creep response of the composite more accurately than all the other models at both the primary and secondary stages. The mathematical complexity that arises from including an additional Maxwell element to the GMn=1 model to obtain the GMn=2 model with enhanced predictability is traded with the use of simple characteristic time functions in the para-rheological model. These functions are found to greatly improve the predictability of the newly developed model for the stress relaxation modulus and creep compliance. This study also explores the utility of the para-rheological model as a tool to probe the micromechanisms and molecular features that are causally related to the macroscopically observed viscoelastic behavior of the composite. The relaxation and creep trends predicted by the para-rheological model indicate that the long time viscoelastic response of the composite lies between that of a crosslinked polymer and a semi-crystalline thermoplastic.