Mechanical and tribological performance of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber/carbon black/cryptocrystalline graphite composites

In this study, cryptocrystalline graphite (CG) was investigated as a novel functional filler for acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR)/carbon black (CB) composites. NBR/CB/CG composites are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that NBR/CB/CG-10 increased by 18.2%, 11.0%, and 10.0% in tensile strength, 300% tensile modulus and tear strength, respectively compared with NBR/CB. Uniform filler dispersion and stronger interfacial interaction contributed to enhancing the mechanical property of NBR/CB/CG composites. It was revealed that the small particle size, rough surface, and defective structure of CG facilitated its exfoliation and intercalation. In addition, the tribological performance of NBR/CB/CG composites was tested on a ring-on-block wear tester under dry sliding conditions. The friction coefficient and specific wear rate of NBR/CB/CG-5 reduced by 50.3% and 51.4%, respectively through the formation of fine lubrication and transfer films. CG enhanced the thermal stability, mechanical, and tribological performance of NBR composites simultaneously and the results of this work proved that CG would be a cost-effective and resource-available functional filler especially suitable for rubber seal application.     

Influence of graphite particle size and shape on the properties of NBR

Four graphite powder fillers with different form and size were mixed with acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR, acrylonitrile content at 26%) at 20, 40 and 60 phr of the filler loadings, and the obtained compounds were characterized by SEM, tensile test, friction and wear test. Through the SEM observation, it was found that the expanded graphite could not be broken down to small particles uniformly when blended with rubber on the twin‐roller. In the tensile test, the graphite with the smallest size possessed the best reinforcement ability as expected. The tribological properties of the rubber were improved when adding more graphite. The largest graphite particles imparted the lowest friction coefficient of the composites among four fillers, but the submicrometer graphite provided the best wear property to NBR. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 4007–4015, 2006     

Preparation and properties of NBR composites filled with a novel black liquor–montmorillonite complex

A novel rubber filler, black liquor–montmorillonite complex (BL–MMT) was prepared by dehydration of a mixture of MMT and BL and used in the preparation of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) composites by mechanical mixing method. The BL–MMT/rubber composites were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Experimental results of XRD and TEM indicated that MMT was well‐dispersed in the rubber because of the presence of lignin. DSC, thermo‐oxidative aging measurements and TGA results demonstrated that the thermal properties of NBR were improved due to the addition of BL–MMT. The tensile properties including tensile strength, elongation at break, and modulus were also tested. All experimental results indicated that this BL–MMT complex could be an effective reinforcing agent in rubber for cost‐saving and environment benefits. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effects of stearic acid on the interface and performance of polypropylene/superfine down powder composites

To manufacture the hygroscopic sheets available for functional application, superfine down powder (SDP) and stearic acid modified superfine down powder (MSDP) were, respectively, blended and extruded with polypropylene (PP) to produce composite pellets, and the extruded pellets were hot‐pressed into composite sheets. The chemical reaction between SDP and stearic acid was characterized using the attenuated total reflection attachment on the Fourier transform infrared. PP/MSDP composites showed more uniform powder dispersion in PP matrix, higher compatibility, and better mechanical properties than that of PP/SDP composites, which showed an evident decrease in tensile strength and elongation at break compared with pure PP. It was worth noting that the Young's modulus of PP/SDP composites was higher than that of pure PP, but lower than that of PP/MSDP composites. The addition of SDP led to a large increase in water absorption of PP/SDP composites. However, the water absorption of PP/MSDP composites decreased slightly compared with that of PP/SDP composites. Furthermore, the effects of SDP and MSDP on the microstructural and thermal properties of different composites were also investigated, respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of nanostructures of modified clay–carbon black on physico‐mechanical,electrical, and acoustic properties of elastomer‐based composites

Elastomeric composites based on nitrile rubber (NBR), carbon black (CB), and organically modified nanoclay (NC) were prepared using a laboratory two‐roll mixing mill. Influences of the hybrid filler system (CB+NC) on various properties of NBR compound were analyzed. It was found that the addition of hybrid filler (CB+NC) over only carbon black enhances various properties. It was also found that the addition of nanoclay to the rubber matrix effectively improved key properties. Acoustics and electrical properties were modified with reduced water absorption because of layered clay platelets. The lower volume resistivity of NBR composites reflected better electrical conductivity attributed to the presence of nanoclay leading to effective filler connectivity. X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements revealed that nanoclays were mostly intercalated and were uniformly dispersed. Use of calcium stearate facilitated dispersion of nanoclay in the rubber matrix which was observed through the formation of nanostructures including “nano” and “halo” units. Time temperature superposition in dynamic mechanical analysis test of the composites indicated lower mechanical loss in the frequency range of interest. The advantages accruing due to overall property enhancement, including lower water absorption, and better electrical and excellent acoustic properties of NBR composites make it suitable as underwater acoustic transparent materials for transducer encapsulation application. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1786–1796, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Enhancement of mechanical strength associated with interfacial tension between barium titanate and acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber with different acrylonitrile contents by surface modification

Acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR) with different acrylonitrile (ACN) contents was filled with barium titanate (BT) to prepare the polymer dielectrics. The neat NBR, NBR/untreated BT, and NBR/bis‐(γ‐triethoxysilylpropyl)‐tetrasulfide (silane coupling agent KH845‐4) modified BT (MBT) composites were prepared. At low ACN content (ACN content 20 wt %), the tensile strength of the NBR/MBT composites increased by 173.6% from 2.69 to 7.36 MPa compared to the neat NBR. The pleasing results were not found in those composites with high ACN content. Both surface modifications of BT and NBR with low ACN content would result in lower interfacial tension between BT and NBR. A strong interfacial adhesion was observed between MBT and NBR with 20 wt % ACN content. The interfacial adhesion had great contribution to the mechanical strength of composites. Moreover, the dielectric properties of composites were also investigated in detail. The addition of BT enhanced the dielectric constant of composites markedly. This study can be applied in manufacturing electronic devices, which are subjected to oily environments for a long time. At the same time, the study can provide some help for researchers to select the polymer matrix and the appropriate surface modification agent of functional filler. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45936.     

Jatropha deoiled cake filler‐reinforced medium‐density polyethylene biocomposites: Effect of filler loading and coupling agent on the mechanical,dynamic mechanical and morphological properties

This work focuses on the performance of Jatropha deoiled cake (JOC) as filler for medium‐density polyethylene. The biocomposites were prepared using a melt‐compounding technique. Maleated polyethylene (MPE) was used as a reactive additive to promote polymer/filler interfacial adhesion. The mechanical, thermodynamic mechanical and morphological properties of the resultant composites were investigated. The results show that the incorporation of JOC into the matrix reduced tensile, flexural, and impact strengths compared with the pure matrix. Moreover, tensile and flexural moduli were increased. The composites prepared with MPE had better mechanical properties and lower water uptake, indicating an enhancement in the interfacial interaction between JOC and polyethylene systems. The storage modulus was increased by the increase in filler loading and decreased when MPE was used. The composites loss modulus curves revealed two glass transitions indicating partial miscible blends. Scanning electron microscopy analysis for maleated composites showed a relatively homogeneous morphology with few left cavities, and the filler particle size is smaller compared to nontreated composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Nitrile rubber/sliding graft copolymer damping material with significantly improved strength and damping performance

Nitrile rubber (NBR)/sliding graft copolymer (SGC) composites with significantly improved strength and damping property are successfully prepared. SGC is a novel kind of supramolecular material with sliding crosslink junctions. The micromorphology analyses of NBR/SGC composites indicate that the SGC phase with particle size less than 500 nm is fairly uniformly dispersed in the NBR matrix. As SGC content increases, the loss factors (tan δ) of NBR/SGC composites increase gradually. Specifically, the tan δ of NBR/SGC (100/40) is about 1.2 times higher than that of pristine NBR rubber. The tensile strength and elongation at break of NBR/SGC composites are unexpectedly improved after the addition of SGC. The significantly improved damping performance and tensile strength can be ascribed to the pulley effect of SGC and the strong interfacial hydrogen bonds between SGC and NBR. The high damping performance and good mechanical strength make the NBR/SGC composite a promising high-performance damping material. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47188.     

Development of biowaste encapsulated polypropylene composites: Thermal,optical, dielectric,flame retardant,mechanical, and morphological properties

Polymer matrix composites have recently gained attraction due to their light weight, low cost, and easy availability, but they are also known for their higher burning rate and low thermal stability. Polypropylene (PP) is one of the most used thermoplastic polymers, its thermal stability and flammability have been modified in this study by incorporation of oyster shell powder (OSP) into PP as a filler. Besides flammability and thermal properties, OSP incorporation has some effects on dielectric and mechanical properties of PP. Effect of concentration of OSP (0–50 wt%) on the properties of OSP/PP composites was studied. The burning rate was observed to decrease while thermal stability was increased as a result of OSP addition into PP. Similarly, relative permittivity (dielectric constant) of OSP/PP composites was found higher than that of pure PP. Flame retardancy, thermal stability, and dielectric properties are functions of OSP concentration. Optical tests including fluorescence spectroscopy and FT‐IR were conducted to study any possible interactions between OSP and PP. A slight decrease in the tensile strength was observed. FESEM images revealed that the decrease in tensile strength is a result of interfacial flaws between filler particles and matrix. Tensile modulus was found to increase which is an evidence of stiffness, this is also correlated to the improvement in thermal stability. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:236–243, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Characterization of barium titanate reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene rubber composites for flexible electronic applications: influences of barium titanate content

The aim of this study was to develop high dielectric constant flexible polymers with a highly efficient and cost‐effective approach using acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) as the polymer matrix and barium titanate (BT) as the high dielectric constant filler. The BT powder was synthesized with a solid‐state reaction and was characterized using a particle size analyzer, XRD, SEM and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. NBR/BT composites were fabricated using an internal mixer with various BT loadings up to 160 phr. The influence of BT loading on the cure characteristics and mechanical, dynamic mechanical, thermal, dielectric and morphological properties was determined. The incorporation of BT in the NBR matrix shortened scorch time and increased delta torque. The mechanical properties, thermal stability and dielectric constant were greatly improved and increased with BT loading. The results suggest that the reinforcement effect was achieved due to strong hydrogen bonding or polar–polar interactions between NBR matrix and BT filler. This is further corroborated by the good dispersion of BT filler in the NBR matrix observed with SEM imaging. These findings can be applied to produce high‐performance dielectric elastomers. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry     

Si-69改性白炭黑增强受阻酚／丁腈橡胶复合材料的制备与性能研究

在丁腈橡胶（NBR）中加入受阻酚AO—80和不同份数Si-69改性的白炭黑,制备了NBR／AO-80／白炭黑／Si-69复合材料。利用差示扫描量热（DSC）,动态力学分析（DMA）,力学性能测试等手段对复合材料动态力学性能及力学性能进行了研究。结果表明：与纯NBR相比。复合材料玻璃化转变温度向高温移动。损耗峰峰值有所降低,损耗峰位置向高温移动,有效阻尼温度区域有所拓宽,其损耗峰峰值高于1．25。有效阻尼温度区域（≥0．3）大于32℃,表明复合材料具有良好阻尼性能;与NBR／AO-80复合材料和纯NBR相比,复合材料力学性能有大幅度提高,拉伸强度达到28．3MPa,撕裂强度达到44．8kN／m。     

Composites based on CB/CF/Ag filled EPDM/NBR rubber blends with high conductivity

For many applications of conductive rubbers, it is desirable to endow the conductive rubber with high conductivity at low conductive filler loading. In this work, composites based on ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer (EPDM) rubber and nitrile‐butadiene rubber (NBR) were prepared using carbon blacks, carbon fibers, and silver powders as fillers. As the weight fraction of silver powder increased, the hardness of composites increased gradually while the tensile strength and elongation at break decreased. SEM revealed that the EPDM/NBR blends exhibited a relatively co‐continuous morphology. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves reported the EPDM/NBR rubber blends were incompatibility. The thermogravimetry (TG) studies showed that adding a small amount of silver powder could improve the thermal stability of composites. These conductive composites exhibited good electrical property. At room temperature, when the total volume fraction of fillers was 15.20%, the volume resistivity of EPDM/NBR blend was only 0.0058 Ω cm. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41357.     

水滑石/丁腈橡胶纳米复合材料的制备及性能研究

采用乳液复合法制备水滑石(LDHs)/丁腈橡胶(NBR)纳米复合材料,并对其结构和性能进行研究。结果表明:复合材料中LDHs均匀分散在NBR基体中;与NBR胶料相比,LDHs/NBR复合材料的物理性能和气体阻隔性能明显提高;当LDHs/NBR用量比为1/20且LDHs用量为1份时,LDHs/NBR复合母胶/溴化丁基橡胶并用胶的气体阻隔性能较好。     

Dynamic mechanical analysis and morphological studies of fly ash/mica reinforced poly(ether‐ether‐ketone)‐based hybrid composites

Hybrid composites based on poly(ether‐ether‐ketone) (PEEK) were fabricated with fly ash and mica. Nearly 5, 10, and 15 wt% of fly ash were replaced by mica of the optimized fly ash reinforced composites and were subjected to dynamical mechanical analysis to determine the dynamic properties as a function of temperature. The storage modulus E′ was found to decrease with the increase of weight fraction of mica. Loss modulus was also found to decrease with loading while the damping property was found to increase marginally. Peak height of tan δ for hybrid composites were decreased by varying combinations of fly ash with mica. It is probably due to improved crystallinity of PEEK and strong interaction between the fillers and PEEK matrix. Cole–Cole analysis was made to understand the phase behavior of the composite samples. Kubat parameter was calculated to study the adhesion between matrix and filler of the fabricated composites. Without surface modification for inorganic fillers, the distribution of two different shape filler particles appears to be reasonably uniform. The use and limitation of various theoretical equations to predict the tan δ and storage modulus of filler reinforced composites have been discussed. Addition of both fillers opens up new opportunities for development of high‐performance multifunctional materials suitable for industrial applications. Scanning electron micrographs of tensile fracture surfaces of composites demonstrated filler–matrix bonding. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:68–78, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Evaluation of cure characteristic,physico-mechanical,and dielectric properties of calcium copper titanate filled acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber composites: Effect of calcium copper titanate loading

Calcium copper titanate (CCTO) has been synthesized by high temperature solid-state reaction from calcium carbonate, copper (II) oxide, and titanium dioxide as the starting materials. The formation and morphology of CCTO were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transformed infrared spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and particle size analysis. In order to develop flexible dielectric materials, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR)-based composites were prepared with CCTO content varied from 0 to 120 phr (parts per hundred rubber). The cure characteristics of composites were assessed. High-dielectric constant CCTO particles were blended into NBR to make composites with improved dielectric constant. Results showed that the NBR/CCTO composites had a high dielectric constant (10–20) with low dielectric loss (<0.4) and low conductivity (<10⁻³ μS/cm) at frequencies up to 10⁶ Hz. However, the higher CCTO loadings had agglomeration in the NBR matrix, and thus tensile strength and elongation at break sharply deteriorated due to poor rubber-filler interactions. The results showed lower storage modulus E′ and a reduction in T_g with the incorporation of CCTO in NBR matrix. Moreover, improved thermal stability of the NBR/CCTO composites was achieved. SEM was used to observe the dispersion of CCTO particles in NBR matrix.     

The structure and dynamic properties of nitrile–butadiene rubber/poly(vinyl chloride)/hindered phenol crosslinked composites

In this article, a new nitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR) crosslinked composites containing poly(viny chloride) (PVC) and hindered phenol (AO-80 and AO-60) was successfully prepared by melt-blending procedure. Microstruture and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites were investigated using SEM, DSC, XRD, and DMTA. Most of hindered phenol was dissolved in the NBR/PVC matrix and formed a much fine dispersion. The results of DSC and DMTA showed that strong intermolecular interaction was formed between the hindered phenol and NBR/PVC matrix. The NBR/PVC/AO-80 crosslinked composites showed only one transition with higher glass transition temperature and higher tan δ value than the neat matrix, whereas for the NBR/PVC/AO-60 crosslinked composites, a new transition appeared above the glass transition temperature of matrix, which was associated with the intermolecular interaction between AO-60 and PVC component of the matrix. Both AO-80 and AO-60 in the crosslinked composites existed in amorphous form. Furthermore, the chemical crosslinking of composites resulted in better properties of the materials, e.g., considerable tensile strength and applied elastic reversion. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Structure and dynamic properties of nitrile‐butadiene rubber/hindered phenol composites

Crosslinked nitrile‐butadiene rubber (NBR)/hindered phenol composites were successfully prepared by mixing tetrakis [methylene‐3‐(3‐5‐ditert‐butyl‐4‐hydroxy phenyl) propionyloxy] methane (AO‐60) into NBR with 35% acrylonitrile mass fraction. The structural and mechanical properties of the NBR/AO‐60 composites were systematically investigated by using differential scanning calorimeter, XRD, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electronic microscope, dynamic mechanical analyzer, and tensile testing. The results indicated that the AO‐60 changed from crystalline form into amorphous form, and most of the AO‐60 molecules could be uniformly dispersed in the NBR matrix. The glass transition temperature (T_g) of NBR/AO‐60 composites increased gradually with increasing content of AO‐60. The increase in T_g could be attributed to the formation of a strong hydrogen bonding network between the AO‐60 molecules and the NBR matrix. Unlike the pure NBR, the NBR/AO‐60 rubber composites had only one transition with a high loss factor. With increasing content of AO‐60, the loss peak shifted to the high temperature region, the loss factor increased from 1.45 to 1.91, and the area under the tan δ versus temperature curve (TA) also showed a significant increase. All these results were ascribed to the good compatibility and strong intermolecular interactions between NBR and AO‐60. Furthermore, all NBR/AO‐60 composites exhibited higher glass transition temperatures and tensile strength than NBR, and they had other desirable mechanical properties. They have excellent prospects in damping material applications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Impacts of interfacial interaction on properties of melamine formaldehyde microsphere/rubber: I. filler dispersion and curing dynamic

Melamine formaldehyde microsphere (MF) was incorporated into nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), respectively. The interaction between MF and rubber and effects of interfacial interaction on the dispersion of filler in rubber matrix, dynamic mechanical analysis, vulcanisation characteristics and kinetics were studied. The results showed that MF interacted with NBR through hydrogen bonds while there had no observed interaction between MF and SBR. The parameter b of MF/NBR calculated by the ratio of modulus and strains increased significantly, which demonstrated further the strong interaction between MF and NBR. For MF/SBR system, however, the parameter b changed slightly with little polymer–filler interaction. The Scanning Electron Microscope images released that strong polymer–filler interaction caused the uniform dispersion of MF in NBR matrix. The vulcanisation of MF/rubber was fitted by Ghoreishy’s model, and the addition of MF increased the rate of curing, shear modulus of compound and activity energy.     

Effects of palm ash loading and maleated natural rubber as a coupling agent on the properties of palm‐ash‐filled natural rubber composites

Natural rubber composites were prepared by the incorporation of palm ash at different loadings into a natural rubber matrix with a laboratory‐size two‐roll mill (160 × 320 mm²) maintained at 70 ± 5°C in accordance with the method described by ASTM D 3184–89. A coupling agent, maleated natural rubber (MANR), was used to improve the mechanical properties of the natural rubber composites. The results indicated that the scorch time and cure time decreased with increasing filler loading, whereas the maximum torque exhibited an increasing trend. Increasing the palm ash loading increased the tensile modulus, but the tensile strength, fatigue life, and elongation at break decreased. The rubber–filler interactions of the composites decreased with increasing filler loading. Scanning electron microscopy of the tensile fracture surfaces of the composites and rubber–filler interaction studies showed that the presence of MANR enhanced the interfacial interaction of the palm ash filler and natural rubber matrix. The presence of MANR also enhanced the tensile properties and fatigue life of palm‐ash‐filled natural rubber composites. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

The effect of alkali treatment and filler size on the properties of sawdust/UPR composites based on recycled PET wastes

In this study, natural sawdust fillers from acacia were mixed with unsaturated polyester resin (UPR), which was prepared by recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste bottles to prepare sawdust/UPR composite. PET wastes were recycled through glycolysis and depolymerized to produce a formulation for the resin. The effects of alkali treatment, filler content, and filler size on the tensile, flexural, hardness, and water absorption of the composites were investigated. The results show that the modulus of both tensile and flexural increased with increasing filler contents, but the tensile and flexural strength of composites decreased. The size of sawdust also played a significant role in the mechanical properties, with smaller size sawdust producing higher strength and modulus. This is due to the greater surface area for filler–matrix interaction. The results also show that alkali treatment causes a better adhesion between sawdust and UPR matrix and improves the mechanical properties of the composites. Furthermore, surface treatment reduced the water absorption of composites. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008