Investigation of nanoclay and halloysite nanotubes filled EPDM SBR rubber composites

Abstract

Polymers are cheap, easy to process, have a high specific strength/modulus, and are lightweight. A rubber substance, whether polar or non-polar, has weak physical and mechanical qualities without reinforcement. The improvement of the aforementioned features is aided by the addition of a number of substances with unique functions, such as curatives (activators, catalysts, and vulcanization or cross-linking agents). Elastomers need to have fillers added to them in order to improve their mechanical properties for use in practical applications. The most widely used and oldest filler in rubber materials for enhancing tensile properties, tear and abrasion resistance, hardness, and other properties is Carbon Black (CB). Recently, polymer nanocomposites made with stiff anisotropic nanoparticles (such Nanoclay (NC) and Halloysite Nanotubes (HNTs)) have attracted interest due to their high specific surface area and nanoscale dispersion in polymer matrices. Another type of nanotubular structure is natural HNTs. It has been discovered that HNTs perform well as nanofillers in a range of rubber polymers. Because of their high tensile strength and abrasion resistance, Ethylene-Propylene- Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber and Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) are the perfect materials for dynamic loading and force applications that demand a lot of physical exertion. The research described in this thesis looked at new polymer nanocomposites made of hybrid fillers (CB/NC or CB/HNTs) and 80/20 (phr/phr) EPDM/SBR blends. This thesis is focused on the mechanical, swelling and abrasion resistance of hybrid filler filled EPDM/SBR nanocomposites. newline