Short sisal fiber reinforced styrene-butadiene rubber composites

Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) composites were prepared by incorporating short sisal fibers of different lengths and concentrations into the SBR matrix in a mixing mill according to a base formulation. The curing characteristics of the mixes were studied and the samples were vulcanized at 150°C. The properties of the vulcanizates such as stress-strain behavior, tensile strength, modulus, shore-A hardness, and resilience were studied. Both the cured and uncured properties showed a remarkable anisotropy. It has been found that aspect ratio in the range of 20–60 is effective for sufficient reinforcement. The mechanical properties were found to increase along and across the grain direction with the addition of fibers. The effects of fiber length, orientation, loading, type of bonding agent, and fiber-matrix interaction on the properties of the composites were evaluated. The extent of fiber orientation was estimated from green strength measurements. The adhesion between the fiber and the rubber was enhanced by the addition of a dry bonding system consisting of resorcinol and hexamethylene tetramine. The bonding agent provided shorter curing time and enhanced mechanical properties. The tensile fracture surfaces of the samples have been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze the fiber surface morphology, orientation, fiber pull-out, and fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion. Finally, anisotropic swelling studies were carried out to analyze the fiber-matrix interaction and fiber orientation. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Transport of organic solvents through coir-fiber-reinforced natural rubber composites: a method for evaluating interfacial interaction

Use is made of the transport of organic solvents such as benzene, toluene and xylene to understand the interfacial interaction in cross-linked coir-fiber-reinforced natural rubber composites. Attempts were made to analyze the interfacial bonding in the composites containing coir fibers subjected to different chemical treatments. Based on experiments, a probable mechanism of transport is suggested. The diffusion coefficient and solubility in the rubber compound–solvent system have been evaluated. The swelling of composites containing untreated and NaOH-treated coir increased initially with fiber loading, but decreased at higher levels of fiber loading. But the swelling of composites which contained coir fiber treated with solutions of NaOH, toluene diisocyanate and natural rubber decreased gradually with fiber loading. It was also found that the swelling of this composite was the least. This is due to the high interfacial interaction between the fiber and the matrix which resists the uptake of organic solvents. It was seen that silica was not a necessary constituent of the bonding system for coir fiber reinforced natural rubber composites.     

Mechanical and viscoelastic properties of short fiber reinforced natural rubber composites: effects of interfacial adhesion,fiber loading,and orientation

The effect of a two-component dry bonding system consisting of resorcinol and hexamethylene tetramine on the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of short sisal fiber reinforced natural rubber composites has been studied. The studies were conducted with chemically treated and untreated short sisal fibers. Treated fibers impart better mechanical properties to the composites. By mixing with short fibers, the dynamic storage modulus (E') of natural rubber composites was improved. The effects of fiber-matrix adhesion on the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the composites were investigated. The storage moduli and mechanical loss increased continuously with an increase in fiber loading but decreased with an increase of temperature. The influence of the fiber orientation on the mechanical and viscoelastic properties is discussed.     

Restricted equilibrium swelling—A true measure of adhesion between short fibers and rubber

The adhesion between rubber and short glass or asbestos fibers has been studied using restricted equilibrium swelling measurements. It has been demonstrated that with improved adhesion between short fiber and rubber, decreases by more than 0.04 units, where V_I and V_F respectively are the volume fractions of rubber in the dry and swollen samples. Goodrich compression fatigue and tensile measurements have been used to substantiate the adhesion-promoting role of bonding agents. The preferential role of silica over black as an adhesion promoter has been questioned. The effect of fiber orientation in controlling the anisotropy of restricted swelling has also been demonstrated.     

Effect of adhesion on the equilibrium swelling of natural rubber-aluminium powder composites

Equilibrium swelling of natural rubber composites containing aluminium powder has been investigated in a series of aromatic hydrocarbon solvents, such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and mesitylene. These composites were vulcanized by four vulcanizing systems, viz. conventional, efficient, dicumyl peroxide, and a mixture, consisting of sulfur and dicumyl peroxide. In each system, the effect of aluminium powder with and without bonding agent was studied. The results showed that addition of bonding agent reduced the swelling considerably, and its effect is more pronounced in the conventional system due to increased adhesion. The dependence of the diffusion coefficient on the crosslinking system and the solvent–polymer interaction parameter were calculated from diffusion data. These results are also indicative of the improved adhesion with hexa-resorcinol–silica bonding system in these composites. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 70: 2427–2438, 1998     

Transport studies of peanut shell powder reinforced natural rubber composites in aromatic solvents

This article investigates the transport behavior of three aromatic organic solvents, viz. benzene, toluene, and xylene in natural rubber (NR) composite membranes containing peanut shell powder (PSP) as filler at different temperatures by conventional weight‐gain experiments. PSP used in compounding the NR was processed in two particle sizes. The solvent swelling characteristics of NR composites containing both untreated and alkali‐treated fillers were investigated. The computed sorption characteristics were discussed in terms of PSP content, particle size, nature of solvent, and temperature. All the NR‐PSP composites were found to decrease with the uptake of aromatic solvents than NR, but the effect was more significant in the case of alkali‐treated PSP composites. Furthermore, the uptake of solvent decreased with decrease in penetrant size. The estimated Arrhenius activation energies (E_D) for the processes of sorption, diffusion, and permeation showed that E_D was generally highest in xylene at the filler contents investigated. The thermodynamic parameters of the sorption process were also evaluated. The relationship between the transport behavior and the morphology of the system was examined. The mechanism of diffusion is found to be close to Fickian trend in toluene and xylene and Fickian trend in benzene. Comparison between theoretical and experimental diffusion results was made to understand the mechanism of diffusion. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Green Composites from Natural Rubber and Oil Palm Fiber: Physical and Mechanical Properties

Natural rubber (NR) composites were prepared by incorporating short oil palm fibers of different lengths (viz., 2, 6, 10, and 14 mm) into natural rubber matrix in a mixing mill according to a base formulation. The curing characteristics of the mixes were studied and the samples were vulcanized at 150°C. The vulcanization parameters, processability characteristics, and tensile properties of these composites were analyzed. The effects of fiber length, orientation, loading, and fiber-matrix interaction on the mechanical properties of the green composites were studied. The reinforcement property of the alkali-treated fiber was compared with that of the untreated one. The extent of fiber orientation was studied from green strength measurements. From anisotropic swelling studies, the extent of fiber alignment and the strength of fiber–rubber interface adhesion were analyzed. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies were carried out to analyze the fiber surface morphology, fiber pullout, and fiber–rubber interface.     

Mechanics of short fibers in filled styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) composites

Different short fibers (glass, carbon, cellulose, polyamide, and polyester with aspect, length/diameter, ratio of 600, 860, 500, 83, and 330 respectively) were added to styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) matrix filled with an inorganic semireinforcing mineral (sepiolite). In all cases, 18 parts by volume of fiber per 100 parts by mass of rubber were added. The fiber orientation attained (more than 60%) was evaluated by a ratio of directional mechanics on uncured samples. In glass and carbon fiber composites, because of decreases in fiber aspect ratio after mixing (10 and 35 respectively), no improvements in properties were obtained. The presence of fibers yields a large increase in green strength, stress at low strain, and tear strength. Logically, the elongation at break diminishes. The uncured and cured properties present a remarkable anisotropy. The adhesive employed (resorcinol-formaldehyde) to increase fiber-to-matrix adhesion enhanced the composite properties, especially in the case of polyester fiber composites. Thus, for polyester fiber composites, green strength became 15.85 kg/cm²; stress at 25% strain, 10.2 MPa; tensile strength, 6.3 MPa; elongation at break, 36%; tear strength, 70 N; and swelling in longitudinal direction, 1.06.     

Short-fiber-reinforced styrene–butadiene rubber composites

Processing characteristics, anistropic swelling, and mechanical properties of short-jute-fiber-and short-glass-fiber-reinforced styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) composites have been studied both in the presence and absence of carbon black. Tensile and tear fracture surfaces of the composites have been studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to assess the failure criteria. The effects of bonding agent. carbon black, jute fiber, and glass fiber on the fracture mode of the composites have also been studied. It has been found that jute fiber offers good reinforcement to SBR as compared to glass fibers. The poor performance of glass fibers as reinforcing agent is found to be mainly due to fiber breakage and poor bonding between fiber and rubber. Tensile strength of the fiber–SBR composites increases with the increase in fiber loading in the absence of carbon black. However, in the presence of carbon black a minimum was observed in the variation of strength against fiber loading. SEM studies indicate that fracture mode depends not on the nature of the fiber but on the adhesion between the fiber and the matrix.     

Rheological Characteristics of Short Nylon-6 Fiber Reinforced Styrene Butadiene Rubber Containing Epoxy Resin as Bonding Agent

ABSTRACT

The rheological characteristics of short Nylon-6 fiber–reinforced Styrene Butadiene rubber (SBR) in the presence of epoxy resin–based bonding agent were studied with respect to the effect of shear rate, fiber concentration, and temperature on shear viscosity and die swell using a capillary rheometer. All the composites containing bonding agent showed a pseudoplastic nature, which decreased with increasing temperature. Shear viscosity was increased in the presence of fibers. The temperature sensitivity of the SBR matrices was reduced on introduction of fibers. The temperature sensitivity of the melts was found to be lower at higher shear rates. Die swell was reduced in the presence of fibers. Relative viscosity of the composites increased with shear rate. In the presence of epoxy resin bonding agent the temperature sensitivity of the mixes increased. Die swell was larger in the presence of bonding agent.     

Stress relaxation in short sisal-fiber-reinforced natural rubber composites

Stress relaxation behavior of chemically treated short sisal fiber-reinforced natural rubber composite was studied. The effect of bonding agent, strain level, fiber loading, fiber orientation, and temperature has been studied in detail. The existence of a single relaxation pattern in the unfilled stock and a two-stage relaxation mechanism for the fiber-filled composite is reported. The relaxation process is influenced by the bonding agent, which indicated that the process involved fiber-rubber interface. The rate of stress relaxation increased with fiber loading, whereas it decreased with aging. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Short fiber–elastomer composites. Effects of matrix and fiber level on swelling and mechanical and dynamic properties

The effects of different types of elastomeric matrix (NR, SBR, CR, NBR) and several levels (10, 15, and 20 parts phr) of short fibers on mechanical properties of uncured and cured composites and on swelling behavior of composites in hydrocarbon solvent are studied. The variation of the dynamic properties, E′, E″, and tan δ is determined as a function of deformation amplitude, temperature, and vibration frequency in composite materials subjected to dynamic deformation. The increase of fiber level does not limit the orientation ability of the fibers, which in all materials seemed to be above 70%. The addition of fiber markedly reduces maximum swelling and entails an increase in material stiffness. In addition, the amount of dissipated energy is increased and hence transformable into heat upon fiber incorporation, which can reach up to 16 times the value corresponding to the matrix alone, in addition to an increase with strain amplitude. The effect is most pronounced in the presumed direction of fiber orientation. The marked reduction of elongation at break (up to values of 7–9% of those of unfilled samples) and the shape of stress-strain curves point to a good fiber-matrix adhesion. Dynamic glass transition temperature is displaced toward higher values as a consequence of matrix-fiber interaction, which increases proportionally to fiber level, thus proving a linear relationship between thermal displacement and the number of interactions between the two phases. By the same token, the apparent activation energy of the relaxation process is enhanced for fiber-containing materials as compared to the fiber-free. The fiber composites present a less prominent yet broader transition zone.     

短纤维在氯丁橡胶中的应用

研究了短纤维种类、用量及长度对短纤维/氯丁橡胶复合材料的纤维取向、纤维分散、力学性能、耐热性能以及溶胀性能的影响。结果表明,复合材料呈现明显的各向异性;3mm短纤维/氯丁橡胶(CR)复合材料的纤维取向度、拉伸强度、撕裂强度和耐溶胀性能均优于1mm复合材料,短纤维分散性对复合材料耐热性的影响较小。     

Tire rubber–sisal composites: Effect of mercerization and acetylation on reinforcement

Tire rubber particles were mixed randomly with short sisal fibers and hot pressed. Sisal fibers were used as received, mercerized, and mercerized/acetylated. The fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), water sorption, and mechanical properties. Thermal stability of the mercerized/acetylated fibers improves (from 200 to 300°C) with respect to the raw fibers, and water sorption is ～ 20% smaller than for the raw and the mercerized fibers. Tensile strength is unchanged after the chemical treatments. Water sorption, mechanical properties, and SEM evaluated the performance of the tire rubber composites. All composites showed enhanced elastic modulus; increase is dependent on fiber load. Smallest water sorption was obtained in composites with the mercerized/acetylated fibers. With these fibers at 10% load, the best results were obtained with the smaller tire rubber particles (320 μm) and at 5% load with the bigger (740 μm) tire rubber particles. Both composites showed ～ 50% increase in tensile strength when compared to similar composites with raw fibers. SEM of the surface of fracture showed that the adhesion between fiber and rubber was enhanced after both chemical treatments. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2507–2515, 2003     

Natural rubber composites reinforced with sisal/oil palm hybrid fibers: Tensile and cure characteristics

Natural rubber was reinforced with untreated sisal and oil palm fibers chopped to different fiber lengths. The influence of fiber length on the mechanical properties of the hybrid composites was determined. Increasing the fiber length resulted in a decrease in the properties. The effects of concentration on the rubber composites reinforced with sisal/oil palm hybrid fibers were studied. Increasing the concentration of fibers resulted in a reduction in the tensile strength properties and tear strength but an increase in the modulus of the composites. Fiber breakage analysis was evaluated. The vulcanization parameters, processability characteristics, and stress–strain properties of these composites were analyzed. The extent of fiber alignment and the strength of the fiber–rubber interface adhesion were analyzed from the anisotropic swelling measurements. Scanning electron microscopy studies were performed to analyze the fiber/matrix interactions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 2305–2312, 2004     

Short coir fiber-reinforced natural rubber composites: Effects of fiber length,orientation, and alkali treatment

Natural rubber is reinforced with untreated coir fiber chopped to different lengths, viz., 6, 10, and 14 mm. Mixes were also prepared using 10 mm-long coir fibers treated with 5% sodium hydroxide solution for different time intervals, viz., 4, 24, 48, and 72 h. These composites were vulcanized at 150°C. The vulcanization parameters, processability characteristics, and stress–strain properties of these composites were analyzed. The rubbercoir interface bonding was improved by the addition of a resorcinol–hexamethylenetetramine dry-bonding system. The reinforcing property of the alkali-treated fiber was compared with that of the untreated one. The extent of fiber orientation in the composite was determined from green strength measurements. From anisotropic swelling studies, the extent of fiber alignment and the strength of fiber–rubber interface adhesion were analyzed. Scanning electron microscopic studies were carried out to investigate the fiber surface morphology, fiber pullout, and fiber–rubber interface. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Tear and processing behaviour of short sisal fibre reinforced styrene butadiene rubber composites

The tear failure and processing characteristics of short sisal fibre reinforced styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) composites were investigated. Tear strength was examined with special reference to the effects of fibre length, fibre orientation, fibre concentration and bonding agent. It was observed that the tear strength depends on all the above factors. The tear failure mechanism was analysed from fractographs taken using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). During tear testing, the composites failed by a shearing process. Microscopic examination of cracks propagating in SBR composites revealed that the amorphous SBR matrix developed cracks, leaving ligaments of rubber attached to the broken fibres. The rubber particles were stretched as the crack opened and failure occurred at large critical extensions. It was observed that an increase in the concentration of fibres increased the tear strength in both longitudinal and transverse directions. The tear strength values were almost three to four times higher than those of the unfilled vulcanizates under similar conditions. In order to analyse the processing behaviour, the green strength, mill shrinkage and Mooney viscosity of the compounds were determined. Finally, the polymer–filler interaction was studied using the Lorenz–Park and Kraus equations.     

Tensile properties of short sisal fiber reinforced polystyrene composites

The tensile properties of polystyrene reinforced with short sisal fiber and benzoylated sisal fiber were studied. The influence of fiber length, fiber content, fiber orientation, and ben-zoylation of the fiber on the tensile properties of the composite were evaluated. The ben-zoylation of the fiber improves the adhesion of the fiber to the polystyrene matrix. the benzoylated fiber was analyzed by IR spectroscopy. Experimental results indicate a better compatibility between benzoylated fiber and polystyrene. the benzoylation of the sisal fiber was found to enhance the tensile properties of the resulting composite. The tensile properties of unidirectionally aligned composites show a gradual increase with fiber content and a leveling off beyond 20% fiber loading. The properties were found to be almost independent of fiber length although the ultimate tensile strength shows marginal improvement at 10 mm fiber length. The thermal properties of the composites were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the fiber surface, fiber pullout, and fiber–matrix interface. Theoretical models have been used to fit the experimental mechanical data. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Cure Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of HRH Bonded Nylon-6 Short Fiber-Nanosilica-Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber Hybrid Composite

Nano silica was synthesized by acid hydrolysis of sodium silicate using diluted hydrochloric acid. This synthetic nanosilica was used in place of hydrated silica in a HRH (hexamethylenetetramine, resorcinol and silica) bonding system for acrylonitrile butadiene rubber–nylon-6 short fiber composite. Nanosilica was also used as a reinforcing filler in acrylonitrile butadiene rubber–nylon-6 short fiber hybrid composite. Cure characteristic and mechanical properties of the hybrid composites were evaluated. Minimum torque, maximum torque, and cure time of the hybrid composites increased with silica loading. Cure rate increased with fiber loading and decreased with silica content. Scorch time also decreased with fiber loading and silica content. Volume fraction of rubber in a solvent-swollen sample increased with nanosilica. The efficiency of the HRH dry bonding system was improved in the presence of nanosilica. Nanosilica in the rubber composites also improved the tensile strength, modulus, and tear strength better than the conventional silica composites. Abrasion loss, hardness, resilience, and compression set properties were also better for the nano silica composites. The composites showed anisotropy in mechanical properties.     

Curing characteristics and mechanical properties of alkali‐treated grass‐fiber‐filled natural rubber composites and effects of bonding agent

To improve adhesion between fiber and matrix, natural rubber was reinforced with a special type of alkali‐treated grass fiber (Cyperus Tegetum Rox b). The cure characteristics and mechanical properties of grass‐fiber‐filled natural rubber composites with different mesh sizes were studied with various fiber loadings. Increasing the amount of fibers resulted in the composites having reduced tensile strength but increased modulus. The better mechanical properties of the 400‐mesh grass‐fiber‐filled natural rubber composite showed that the rubber/fiber interface was improved by the addition of resorcinol formaldehyde latex (RFL) as bonding agent for this particular formulation. The optimum cure time decreased with increases in fiber loading, but there was no appreciable change in scorch time. Although the optimum cure time of vulcanizates having RFL‐treated fibers was higher than that of the other vulcanizates, it decreased with fiber loading in the presence of RFL as the bonding agent. But this value was lower than that of the rubber composite without RFL. Investigation of equilibrium swelling in a hydrocarbon solvent was also carried out. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3151–3160, 2006