Effects of hybrid filler networks of carbon nanotubes and carbon black on fracture resistance of styrene‐butadiene rubber composites

In this study, influences of hybrid filler networks of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon black (CB) on fracture resistance of styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) composites were well investigated. The spherical CB was partially substituted by fibrous CNTs in two different ways: unequal replacement (1 phr CNTs replacing 4 phr CB) and equal replacement (1 phr CNTs replacing 1 phr CB). The J‐integral tests were employed to evaluate the crack initiation and propagation resistance. The strain amplification and distribution near the crack tip was measured by digital image correlation to explore the fracture resistance mechanism. Results revealed that the fracture resistance was effectively improved by unequal replacement. Meanwhile, for unequal replacement, higher content of CNTs resulted in a weaker strain amplification factor and larger amplification area near the crack tip, which contributed to the improved fracture resistance. However, opposite trends were observed for equal replacement. A synergistic effect in fracture resistance of SBR composites between CB and CNTs was realized for unequal replacement. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:1425–1431, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of carbon nanotubes growth topology on the mechanical behavior of hybrid carbon nanotube/carbon fiber polymer composites

In this study, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were incorporated into carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) by growing them on the surface of PAN‐based carbon fibers utilizing a relatively low temperature technique. The effect of various surface treatments of the carbon fibers on the in‐plane and out‐of‐plane mechanical performance of the hybrid CFRPs (e.g., exposure to or shielding against elevated temperatures, patterned vs. unpatterned growth of the CNTs over the carbon fibers) were investigated. The in‐plane quasi‐static mechanical properties and out‐of‐plane dynamic properties of the hybrid CFRPs were examined utilizing tension and dynamic impact tests, respectively. To study the progressive damage mechanism of the hybrid CFRPs, spherical punch tests as well as X‐ray radiography of the impact damaged hybrid CFRPs were carried out. The results revealed that the strength and impact energy dissipation of the CFRPs improved by 11% and 127%, respectively, utilizing patterned growth of CNTs on the surface of the carbon fibers. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2639–2648, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

炭黑/黏土/丁苯橡胶纳米复合材料的性能

研究了用1份(质量,下同)或2份黏土替代5份或10份炭黑对炭黑/黏土/丁苯橡胶纳米复合材料性能的影响。结果表明,用少量黏土非等量替代炭黑后,复合材料的物理机械性能变化不大;复合材料的耐磨性能随炭黑用量的减少而降低,耐屈挠疲劳性能随黏土用量增加而提高。当炭黑与黏土的填充量分别为45份和2份时,复合材料的物理机械性能和动态生热与填充50份炭黑时相当。     

Effect of carbon black loading on curing characteristics and mechanical properties of waste tyre dust/carbon black hybrid filler filled natural rubber compounds

Curing characteristics, tensile properties, fatigue life, swelling behavior, and morphology of waste tire dust (WTD)/carbon black (CB) hybrid filler filled natural rubber (NR) compounds were studied. The WTD/CB hybrid filler filled NR compounds were compounded at 30 phr hybrid filler loading with increasing partial replacement of CB at 0, 10, 15, 20, and 30 phr. The curing characteristics such as scorch time, t₂ and cure time, t₉₀ decreased and increased with increment of CB loading in hybrid filler (30 phr content), respectively. Whereas maximum torque (M_HR) and minimum torque (M_L) increased with increasing CB loading. The tensile properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, and tensile modulus of WTD/CB hybrid filler filled NR compounds showed steady increment as CB loading increased. The fatigue test showed that fatigue life increased with increment of CB loading. Rubber–filler interaction, Q_f/Q_g indicated that the NR compounds with the highest CB loading exhibited the highest rubber–filler interactions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of tensile and fatigue fractured surfaces and rubber–filler interaction study supported the observed result on tensile properties and fatigue life. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Dynamic mechanical properties of styrene‐butadiene composites reinforced by defatted soy flour and carbon black co‐filler

Carboxylated styrene‐butadiene (SB) composites reinforced by a mixture of defatted soy flour (DSF) and carbon black (CB) were investigated in terms of their dynamic mechanical properties. DSF is an abundant renewable commodity and has a lower cost than CB. DSF contains soy protein, carbohydrate, and whey. Aqueous dispersions of DSF and CB were first mixed and then blended with SB latex to form rubber composites using freeze‐drying and compression molding methods. At 140°C, a single filler composite reinforced by 30% DSF exhibited roughly a 230‐fold increase in the shear elastic modulus compared to the unfilled SB rubber, indicating a significant reinforcement effect by DSF. Mixtures of DSF and CB at three different ratios were investigated as co‐fillers. Temperature sweep experiments indicate the shear elastic moduli of the co‐filler composites are between that of DSF and CB composites. Strain sweep experiments were used to study the fatigue and recovery behaviors of these composites. Compared with the DSF composites, the recovery behaviors of the 30% co‐filler composites after the eight consecutive deformation cycles of dynamic strain were improved and similar to that of 30% CB composite. Strain sweep experiments also indicated that the co‐filler composites have a greater elastic modulus than the CB reinforced composites within the strain range measured. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008     

Co-compatibilising effect of carbon nanotubes and liquid isoprene rubber on carbon black filled natural rubber/polybutadiene rubber blend

Abstract

Bis-(triethoxysilylpropyl)-tetrasulfane functionalised carbon nanotubes (t-CNTs) were used as compatibiliser along with liquid isoprene rubber (LIR) in the natural rubber (NR)/polybutadiene rubber (BR) blend. Their reinforcing and compatibilising effects were evaluated by mechanical, fatigue crack growth resistance properties and blend homogeneity. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope showed enhanced interfacial adhesion between the binary rubber phases and improved dispersion of the minor phase in the rubber blend respectively with the co-existence of LIR and carbon nanotubes. The tensile strength of the carbon black (CB) filled NR/BR blend reached its optimum when 3 phr CB was replaced with an equal amount of t-CNTs in the presence of 7 phr LIR, while the fatigue crack growth resistance property achieved its maximum in the presence of 3 phr LIR. This interesting co-compatibilisation behaviour of t-CNTs and LIR suggests that t-CNTs have a better effect than CB with the assistance of LIR, which is an effective plasticiser in the NR/BR blend.     

Synergistic effects of hybrid carbon nanomaterials in room‐temperature‐vulcanized silicone rubber

This work examines nanocomposites based on nanofillers and room‐temperature‐vulcanized silicone rubber. The carbon nanofillers used were conductive carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene (GE). Vulcanizates for CB, GE, CNTs as the only filler and hybrid fillers using CNTs, CB and GE were prepared by solution mixing. The elastic modulus for CNT hybrid with CB at 15 phr (4.65 MPa) was higher than for CB hybrid with GE (3.13 MPa) and CNTs/CB/GE as the only filler. Similarly, the resistance for CNT hybrid with CB at 10 phr (0.41 kΩ) was lower than for CB (0.84 kΩ) at 20 phr and CNTs as the only filler. These improvements result from efficient filler networking, a synergistic effect among the carbon nanomaterials, the high aspect ratio of CNTs and the improved filler dispersion in the rubber matrix. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Excavating the unique synergism of nanofibers and carbon black in Natural rubber based tire tread composition

The article portrays the synergistic reinforcement of new generation nanofillers such as silicon carbide nanofibers (SiCs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphite nanofibers (GNFs) when used along with carbon black (CB) in a typical tire tread composition. The unique synergism in these composites, which were fabricated by a liquid phase mixing method, was reflected in their enhanced failure resistance and dynamic mechanical properties. At 4 phr loading of the nanofiber, the tensile strength, tear strength, modulus at 300% elongation, storage modulus, rolling resistance, and abrasion resistance were improved by 29, 45, 36, 110, 15, and 14%, respectively. The role of nanofibers in the development of a hybrid microstructure was investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Tribological characteristics were studied using a Laboratory Abrasion Tester (LAT 100), and the abrasion loss of the samples was correlated with energy dissipation occurring during the process. The fatigue properties indicated the ability of the CB-nanofiber dual filler system to arrest crack growth. The study also serves to establish a correlation between the wear loss and fatigue properties of the hybrid nanocomposites containing different fibrous nanofillers. A mechanism of reinforcement by hybrid fillers is proposed.     

Evaluation of embedded optical fiber sensors in composites: EFPI sensor fabrication and quasi‐static evaluation

This article reports on the fabrication and evaluation of extrinsic Fabry–Perot interferometric (EFPI) sensors when embedded in fiber‐reinforced composites and tested under quasi‐static tensile and compressive mechanical loading. The EFPI strain sensors were embedded in carbon fiber composite test specimens, and their performance was compared against a surface‐mounted extensometer and electrical resistance strain gauges. When the composite was subjected to quasi‐static tensile loading, the sensors failed around a strain level of 0.5%; under compressive loading, the sensors survived until the failure of the composite at 1.1% strain. The EFPI sensors used in this study were fabricated in‐house and the issues relating to fabrication are discussed in the context of their performance when embedded in composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Fiber hybrid polyimide‐based composites reinforced with carbon fiber and poly‐p‐phenylene benzobisthiazole fiber: Tribological behaviors under sea water lubrication

Fiber hybrid polyimide‐based (PI‐based) composites reinforced with carbon fiber (CF) and poly‐p‐phenylene benzobisthiazole (PBO) fiber of different volume fractions were fabricated by means of hot press molding technique, and their mechanical properties and tribological behaviors under sea water lubrication were systematically investigated in relation to the synergism of CF and PBO fiber. Results showed that the incorporation of CF or PBO fiber improved the tensile strength, hardness, and wear resistance of PI. More importantly, because of the synergistic enhancement effect between CF and PBO fiber on PI matrix, the combination of 10%CF and 5%PBO fiber reinforced PI‐based composite had the best mechanical and tribological properties, showing promising application in ocean environment. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1650–1658, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Structure and properties of UHMWPE fiber/carbon fiber hybrid composites

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber/carbon fiber hybrid composites were prepared by inner‐laminar and interlaminar hybrid way. The mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and morphologies of the composites were investigated and compared with each other. The results show that the hybrid way was the major factor to affect mechanical and thermal properties of hybrid composites. The resultant properties of inner‐laminar hybrid composite were better than that of interlaminar hybrid composite. The bending strength, compressive strength, and interlaminar shear strength of hybrid composites increased with an increase in carbon fiber content. The impact strength of inner‐laminar hybrid composite was the largest (423.3 kJ/m²) for the UHMWPE fiber content at 43 wt % to carbon fiber. The results show that the storage modulus (E′), dissipation factor (tan δ), and loss modulus (E″) of the inner‐laminar hybrid composite shift toward high temperature remarkably. The results also indicate that the high‐performance composite with high strength and heat resistance may be prepared by fibers' hybrid. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1880–1884, 2006     

Effect of quasi‐carbonization processing parameters on the mechanical properties of quasi‐carbon/phenolic composites

In this work, quasi‐carbon fabrics were produced by quasi‐carbonization processes conducted at and below 1200°C. Stabilized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fabrics and quasi‐carbon fabrics were used as reinforcements of phenolic composites with a 50 wt %/50 wt % ratio of the fabric to the phenolic resin. The effect of the quasi‐carbonization process on the flexural properties, interfacial strength, and dynamic mechanical properties of quasi‐carbon/phenolic composites was investigated in terms of the flexural strength and modulus, interlaminar shear strength, and storage modulus. The results were also compared with those of a stabilized PAN fabric/phenolic composite. The flexural, interlaminar, and dynamic mechanical results were quite consistent with one another. On the basis of all the results, the quasi‐static and dynamic mechanical properties of quasi‐carbon/phenolic composites increased with the applied external tension and heat‐treatment temperature increasing and with the heating rate decreasing for the quasi‐carbonization process. This study shows that control of the processing parameters strongly influences not only the mechanical properties of quasi‐carbon/phenolic composites but also the interlaminar shear strength between the fibers and the matrix resin. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Synergistic effect of carbon black and carbon–silica dual phase filler in natural rubber matrix

In this article, the synergistic effects of carbon black (CB) and modified carbon–silica dual phase filler (MCSDPF) on the properties of natural rubber (NR) were investigated. MCSDPF was prepared by modifying carbon–silica dual phase filler (CSDPF) with bis(3‐triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulphane (Si‐69). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analyzer analyses revealed that Si‐69 was successfully grafted to CSDPF. NR‐based compounds containing various combinations of MCSDPF and CB were prepared through a mechanical mixing. Investigations of mechanical properties, ageing resistance, abrasion resistance, dynamic mechanical properties, and morphology of tear fractured surface of MCSDPF/CB/NR vulcanizates were conducted. Our study shows that adding MCSDPF led to significant improvement in the tear resistance, fatigue life, and elongation at break of MCSDPF/CB/NR vulcanizates. Optimum stoichiometric combination of MCSDPF and CB inside the NR matrix was derived (ratio of MCSDPF and CB in wt% = 15/50), which showed synergistic effects of MCSDPF upon CB that was ultimately reflected in their tensile strength, wet skid resistance, and rolling resistance. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1466–1472, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effects of substitution for carbon black with graphene oxide or graphene on the morphology and performance of natural rubber/carbon black composites

In this study, nanosheets including graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), were incorporated into natural rubber (NR), to study the effects of substituting GO or rGO for carbon black (CB) on the structure and performance of NR/CB composites. The morphological observations revealed the dispersion of CB was improved by partially substituting nanosheets for CB. The improvements in static and dynamic mechanical properties were achieved at small substitution content of GO or rGO nanosheets. With substitution of rGO nanosheets, significant improvement in flex cracking resistance was achieved. NR/CB/rGO (NRG) composites has a much lower heat build‐up value compared with NR/CB/GO (NG) composites at a high load of nanosheets. However, both GO and rGO tended to aggregate at a high concentration, which led to the poor efficiency on enhancing the dynamic properties, or even deteriorate the performance of rubber composites. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41832.     

Comparison of tensile and compressive characteristics of intra/interply hybrid laminates reinforced high‐density flexible foam composites

The current study focused on fabrication and mechanical evaluation of intra/interply hybrid laminates – reinforced high‐density flexible foam composites. The effects of composite thickness and expansion factor on the tensile and compressive characterization of the hybrid ‐ laminated composites were experimentally investigated. Double face sheets were made of high‐strength intra/interply hybrid laminates containing recycled Kevlar nonwovens and glass woven fabric. The results revealed that the hybrid laminates face sheet apparently promoted the tensile strength and tear resistance of the high ‐ density flexible polyurethane foam. Tearing resistance in perpendicular direction exceeded more than twice the value in parallel direction. In terms of dynamic cushioning properties, cushioning force increased with the increase in composite thickness and the decrease in expansion factor , whereas the cushioning capacity loss, however, showed a different trend with the variation of the parameters. Most samples buffered more than 95% incident force under dynamic loading. Composite thickness and expansion factor exhibited significant influence on compression and indentation properties, including hardness, initial hardness factor , and indentation modulus. Except the composites with 10 mm thickness, the intra/interply hybrid laminated composites exhibited hysteresis loss of indentation force deflection ranging from approximately 30 to 38%, which was due to the fiber and thermal bonding point failure of hybrid laminates as unrecoverable damage. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41438.     

Mechanical properties of carbon nanotube/carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer composite

Carbon nanotube (CNT)/carbon fiber (CF) hybrid fiber was fabricated by sizing unsized CF tow with a sizing agent containing CNT. The hybrid fiber was used to reinforce a thermoplastic polymer to prepare multiscale composite. The mechanical properties of the multiscale composite were characterized. Compared with the base composite (traditional commercial CF), the multiscale composite reinforced by the CNT/CF hybrid fiber shows increases in interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and impact toughness. Laminate containing CNTs showed a 115.4% increase in ILSS and 27.0% increase in impact toughness. The reinforcing mechanism was also discussed by observing the impact fracture morphology. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2001–2008, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

PVC和白炭黑对NBR／PVC共混体耐磨和耐疲劳性的作用

研究了ＰＶＣ和白炭和黑对热力学不相容的ＮＢＲ／ＰＶＣ并有耐磨和耐疲劳性的影响，并探讨了其相应机理，借助扫描电镜（ＳＥＭ）观察了并用体系的屈挠疲劳断面，发现随ＰＶＣ用量增加和白炭黑用量减少，疲劳断面由原来的粗糙孔洞（Ｃｏａｒｓｅ－ｈｏｌｅ）裂纹型变成了波浪河流（Ｗａｖｅ－ｒｉｖｅｒ）型，并用体系优异的耐磨和耐疲劳性是由其相容性和界面过渡层结构等决定的。     

Studies of nanocomposites based on carbon nanomaterials and RTV silicone rubber

The mechanical and electrical properties were investigated for nanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and conductive carbon black (CB). Solution room‐temperature‐vulcanized silicone rubber was used as a matrix. Vulcanizates based on CNTs and CB was prepared by solution mixing. With the addition of 2 phr of CNTs to the rubber matrix, the Young's modulus increased by 272% and reached as high as ～706% at 8 phr, whereas the modulus increased only 125% for CB specimens at 10 phr. Similarly, the electrical properties at 5 phr content of CNT were ～0.7 kΩ against ～0.9 kΩ at 20 phr CB. The Kraus plot from equilibrium swelling tests shows that the high properties for CNT specimens are due to high polymer–filler interfacial interactions, the small particle size that improves the distribution of the filler in a highly exfoliated state, and high electrical connective networks among the filler particles. These improvements can especially influence medical products such as feeding tubes, seals and gaskets, catheters, respiratory masks and artificial muscles. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44407.     

Effect of coal gangue/carbon black/multiwall carbon nanotubes hybrid fillers on the properties of natural rubber composites

The objective of this study was to investigate three kinds of filler with completely different morphology on mechanical properties of natural rubber (NR). Coal gangue (CG) are derived from natural deposits are composed principally by illite and quartz. CG, carbon black (CB), and multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) were used as hybrid fillers in NR. CNTs were dispersed into NR latex by ultrasonic irradiation and then the mixed latex were coagulated to obtain the CNTs/NR masterbatch, then mechanical mixing method was employed to prepare the CG/CB/CNTs/NR composites. The addition of CG, CB, and CNTs to NR was varied with the total filler loading fixed at 35 phr. The mechanical properties of NR composites were studied in terms of tensile and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The results showed that the tensile strength and modulus 300% (M300) of all hybrid samples were higher than the composites only loaded CG; and the highest tensile strength of NR loaded with hybrid fillers achieved at sample of loading amount of CG 17.5, CB 15.5, and CNTs 2 phr, whose M300 and elongation at break was obviously higher than that of only CB loaded NR composites; The inclusion CG improves the tensile strength of NR without the sacrifice of its extensibility, while CB and CNTs brings together the enhancement in the ultimate strength and the reduction in the extensibility. DMA results revealed that the existence of CG can improve the dispersion of CB and CNTs in NR matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3083–3092, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Study on properties of natural rubber reinforced by poly(sodium‐4‐styrenesulfonate)‐decorated carbon black with a latex compounding technique

Natural rubber filled with poly(sodium‐4‐styrenesulfonate) (PSS)‐decorated carbon black (CB) by employing a latex compounding technique was prepared. The result of scanning electron microscope demonstrated that CB was uniformly dispersed in the matrix. Comparing to traditional dry compounding, an improvement in physical and mechanical properties was observed in the composites attributed to the homogeneous distribution of CB in matrix and an augment of bound rubber. Owing to the changes of the physical properties of CB surface, vulcanizate filled with oxidized CB via latex way exhibited higher mechanical properties. The resulting vulcanizates displayed a diminished interaction between fillers based on the consequence of strain dependence of storage modulus. Furthermore, a splendid wet‐skid resistance was obtained in vulcanizates fabricated by latex compounding technique in comparison with vulcanizates prepared by traditional dry compounding. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42346.