Reinforcement of compatibilized NR/NBR blends by fly ash particles and precipitated silica

Effects of precipitated silica (PSi) and silica from fly ash (FA) particles (FASi) on the cure and mechanical properties before and after thermal and oil aging of natural rubber (NR) and acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR) blends with and without chloroprene rubber (CR) or epoxidized NR (ENR) as a compatibilizer have been reported in this paper. The experimental results suggested that the scorch and cure times decreased with the addition of silica and the compound viscosity increased on increasing the silica content. The mechanical properties for PSi filled NR/NBR vulcanizates were greater than those for FASi filled NR/NBR vulcanizates in all cases. The PSi could be used for reinforcing the NR/NBR vulcanizates while the silica from FA was regarded as a semi‐reinforcing and/or extending filler. The incorporation of CR or ENR enhanced the mechanical properties of the NR/NBR vulcanizates, the ENR being more effective and compatible with the blend. The mechanical properties of the NR/NBR vulcanizates were improved by post‐curing effect from thermal aging but deteriorated by the oil aging. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of fly ash silica and precipitated silica fillers on the viscosity,cure, and viscoelastic properties of natural rubber

The viscosity, cure properties, storage, and loss moduli and tan δ of natural rubber (NR) filled with the same amounts of precipitated silica (PSi) and fly ash silica (FASi) fillers were measured. The fillers were treated with bis[3‐triethoxysilylpropyl‐]tetrasulfide (TESPT), or, used in the rubber untreated. TESPT is a sulfur‐containing bi‐functional organosilane that chemically adheres silica to rubber and also prevents silica from interfering with the reaction mechanism of sulfur cure. The dispersion of PSi and FASi in the rubber was investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effects of silica type and loading and surface treatment on the aforementioned properties were of interest. The SEM results showed that the FASi particles were larger in size and had a wider particle size distribution when compared with the PSi particles. The viscosity of the compounds decreased progressively with mixing time, and the compounds with FASi had a lower viscosity than those filled with PSi. The treatment with Si69 had no beneficial effect on the dispersion of the fillers in the rubber matrix. At low temperatures, the type and loading of the filler had no effect on the storage and loss moduli of the compounds, but the effect was more pronounced at high temperatures. There was also evidence from the tan δ and glass transition temperature (T_g) measurements that some limited interaction between the filler particles and rubber had occurred because of TESPT. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The influence of nano silica particles on gamma-irradiation ageing of elastomers based on chlorosulphonated polyethylene and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber

The goal of this work was to study gamma irradiation ageing of rubber blends based on acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) and chlorosulphonated polyethylene rubber (CSM) reinforced by silica nano particles. The NBR/CSM compounds (50: 50, w/w) filled with different content of filler (0–100 phr) were crosslinked by sulfur. The vulcanization characteristics were assessed using the rheometer with an oscillating disk. The vulcanizates were prepared in a hydraulic press. The obtained materials were exposed to the different irradiation doses (100, 200, 300 and 400 kGy). The mechanical properties (hardness, modulus at 100% elongation, tensile strength and elongation at break) and swelling numbers were assessed before and after gamma irradiation ageing.     

CSF纳米炭黑硫化橡胶的性能

天然橡胶;丁苯橡胶;丁腈橡胶;硫化;气密性;导电性;CSF纳米炭黑硫化橡胶的性能     

高疲劳寿命氯丁橡胶基减振材料的结构与性能

以氯丁橡胶(CR)为基体材料, 将新型反式-1,4-丁二烯-异戊二烯共聚橡胶(TBIR)引入传统CR减振基体中, 探讨TBIR在减振材料中的应用前景. 研究发现, 随着TBIR用量的增加, CR/TBIR混炼胶的强度及模量明显提升; CR/TBIR硫化胶的拉伸强度、 撕裂强度、 压缩永久变形、 动静刚度比及耐疲劳性能均得到改善, 特别是一级疲劳寿命提高了50%~400%(未填充体系)及40%~180%(填充体系), 六级疲劳寿命提高了60%~500%(未填充体系)及30%~120%(填充体系). 与未填充CR/TBIR硫化胶相比, 填充CR/TBIR硫化胶由于炭黑补强作用及填料-聚合物相互作用的引入, 屈挠疲劳寿命、 撕裂强度及拉伸性能均显著提高. 与填充CR硫化胶相比, 填充CR/TBIR质量比为90/10的并用胶能够在保持硫化胶的损耗因子基本不变的基础上, 实现综合性能的平衡提升.     

Study of viscoelastic properties of white carbon black reinforced synthetic polyisoprene

The viscoelastic properties of synthetic polyisoprenes(PI) reinforced by white carbon black(WCB) have been investigated and compared with WCB reinforced natural rubber(NR), including cure characteristics, physio-mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties. Compared with NR, PI loaded with the same amount of WCB(PI/WCB) exhibited shorter scorch time and optimal cure time, indicating that WCB fillers are comparatively easier to conjugate with PI. The tensile strength and elongation at break decreased with WCB filling in both PI and NR vulcanizates. The hardness of the rubber vulcanizates increased with the WCB filling in the rubber matrix. PI/WCB blends exhibited smaller hardness data, lower tensile strength, as well as lower elongation at break and tensile stress. Increasing the amount of WCB in rubber matrix induced the Payne effect. However, the Payne effect is much more obvious for the PI/WCB system, and PI/WCB also displayed higher storage modulus whereas lower loss modulus and loss tangent than NR/WCB, which could all be attributed to the poor dispersibilities of WCB in the PI matrix.     

Impacts of filler covalent and non‐covalent modification on the network structure and mechanical properties of carbon–silica dual phase filler/natural rubber

The carbon–silica dual phase filler (CSDPF) was modified by bis (3‐triethoxy‐silylpropyl) tetrasulphane (Si69) and 1‐allyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium chloride (AMI), respectively. The natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates filled with modified CSDPF were fabricated through mechanical mixing followed by a high‐temperature cure process. The impacts of filler surface modification on the curing characters, crosslinked junctions, network structure, and mechanical properties of NR vulcanizates were investigated. The results showed that the Si69 interacted with CSDPF through covalent bond, while the interaction between AMI and CSDPF was hydrogen bond. Both modifications increased the cure rate of CSDPF/NR compounds as well as the crosslinked degree, compared with those of pristine CSDPF/NR compound. The modifications improved the dispersion of CSDPF in NR matrix. The covalent modification by Si69 caused a limited movement of NR chains in the CSDPF surface, which contributed to a greater tensile modulus of Si69‐modified CSDPF/NR. However, the higher content of mono‐sulfidic crosslink and the poorer content of strain‐induced crystallization in the NR matrix led to a slight increase of tensile strength and tear strength of Si69‐modified CSDPF/NR, compared with those of CSDPF/NR. The tensile modulus of AMI‐modified CSDPF/NR had a lower value due to a faster polymer chain motion on the CSDPF surface. However, the tensile and tear strength of AMI‐modified CSDPF/NR increased significantly because of the increase of mono‐sulfidic crosslink, strain‐induced crystallization, and the existed hydrogen bond between CSDPF and NR. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The role of thiophosphoryl disulfide on the co‐cure of CR‐EPDM blends: effect of white fillers

Bis(diisopropyl) thiophosphoryl disulfide (DIPDIS) being a rubber accelerator has a definite role as a coupling agent in the silica filled polychloroprene rubber with ethylene propylene diene rubber (CR‐EPDM) blends. Diethylene glycol can further improve the beneficial effect of DIPDIS in silica filled CR‐EPDM blends. Two‐stage vulcanization technique further improves the physical properties of silica filled CR‐EPDM blends. The results have been compared with non‐reinforcing calcium carbonate filled systems. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies further indicate the coherency and homogeneity in the silica filled CR‐EPDM blend vulcanizates obtained from this two‐stage process. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of sol–gel derived in situ silica on the morphology and mechanical behavior of natural rubber and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber blends

Silica particles were generated and grown in situ by sol–gel method into rubber blends comprised of natural rubber (NR) and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) at various blend ratios. Silica formed into rubber matrix was amorphous in nature. Amount of in situ silica increased with increase in natural rubber proportion in the blends during the sol–gel process. Morphology studies showed that the generated in situ silica were nanoparticles of different shapes and sizes mostly grown into the NR phase of the blends. In situ silica filled NR/NBR blend composites showed improvement in the mechanical and dynamic mechanical behaviors in comparison to those of the unfilled and externally filled NR/NBR blend composites. For the NR/NBR blend at 40/60 composition, in particular, the improvement was appreciable where size and dispersion of the silica particles into the rubber matrix were found to be more uniform. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed a strong rubber–in situ silica interaction as indicated by a positive shift of the glass transition temperature of both the rubber phases in the blends.     

Influence of gel content on the physical properties of unfilled and carbon black filled natural rubber vulcanizates

Recently, gel content has been considered as a standard property for evaluating commercial grade natural rubber (NR). In this study, NR containing various amounts of gel was prepared by accelerated storage hardening as a model to clarify the influence of gel content on the physical properties of both unfilled and carbon black filled vulcanizates. Furthermore, the NR samples were investigated to determine the effect of gel fraction on Mooney viscosity and the structure of the gel after mastication. The results revealed that Mooney viscosity was related to the percentage of gel fraction that has been proven to be the result of interactions between proteins and phospholipids at chain ends. After mastication, although the gel fraction of NR can be decomposed to ∼0% w/w, the interactions of proteins and phospholipids at the chain ends still existed, corresponding to the gel content of the raw rubber. In the case of unfilled vulcanizates, the gel content showed no effect on cure characteristics, crosslink density and ultimate tensile strength, whereas the upturn of stress occurred at a smaller strain when the gel content increased. However, in the case of carbon black filled vulcanizates, the gel content played a dominant role in the carbon black dispersion, which was poorer when gel content increased, contributing to a decrease of crosslink density and ultimate tensile strength.     

Thermal properties of compatibilized and filled natural rubber/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber blends

The thermal behaviour of natural rubber/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NR/NBR) was studied using thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in terms of blend ratio, crosslinking systems, fillers and compatibilizer (neoprene) were analyzed. The presence of NBR markedly increases the thermal stability of their blends and it lies in between NR and NBR. DSC studies revealed the thermodynamic immiscibility of the NR/NBR blends by the presence of two distinct glass transition temperatures and the immiscibility was prominent even in the presence of a compatibilizer.     

Thermogravimetric Analysis and Thermal Ageing of Crosslinked Nitrile Rubber/Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl Acetate) Blends

The thermal behaviour of nitrile rubber (NBR)/poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) blends was studied by thermogravimetry. The effects of blend ratio, different crosslinking systems (sulphur, peroxide and mixed), various fillers (silica, clay and carbon black) and filler loading on the thermal properties were evaluated. It was found that the initial decomposition temperature increased with the addition of NBR to EVA. Among the various crosslinking systems studied, the peroxide cured system showed the highest initial decomposition temperature. This is associated with the high bond dissociation energy of C–C linkages. The addition of fillers improved the thermal stability of the blend. The mass loss at different temperatures and activation energy of degradation were also studied. The thermal ageing of these blends was carried out at 50 and 100°C for 72 h. It was seen that the properties are not affected by the mild ageing condition. Also, the peroxide cured system was found to exhibit better retention in properties, than other crosslinking systems. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effect of silane coupling agent on the polymer‐filler interaction and mechanical properties of silica‐filled NR

The effects of filler loading and a new silane coupling agent 3‐octanoylthio‐1‐ propyltriethoxysilane (NXT silane) on the polymer‐filler interaction and mechanical properties of silica‐filled and carbon black‐filled natural rubber (NR) compounds were studied. Silica (high dispersion silica7000GR, VN2, and VN3) and carbon black (N330) were used as the fillers, and the loading range was from 0 to 50 phr. The loading of NXT silane was from 0 to 6 phr. Experimental results show that the maximum and minimum torques of silica and carbon black‐filled NR increase with increasing filler loading. With increasing filler loading, the scorch time and optimum cure time decrease for carbon black‐filled NR, but increase for silica‐filled NR. The minimum torque, scorch time, and optimum cure time decrease because of the presence of NXT silane. For the carbon black and silica‐filled NR, the tensile strength and elongation at break have maximum values, but the hardness, M300, M100, and tear strength keep increasing with filler loading. The mechanical properties of silica‐filled NR were improved in the presence of NXT silane. With increasing filler loading, the storage modulus of filled NR increases, but the loss factor decreases. Carbon black shows the strongest polymer‐filler interaction, followed by VN3, 7000GR, and VN2. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 573–584, 2005     

Microbial desulfurization of SBR ground rubber by Sphingomonas sp. and its utilization as filler in NR compounds

Microbial desulfurization of waste tyre rubber has been investigated with great efforts since 1990s, because waste rubber has created serious ecological and environmental problems. A microbial desulfurization technique for SBR ground rubber has been developed by a novel sulfur‐oxidizing bacterium Sphingomonas sp. The adaptability of Sphingomonas sp. with SBR ground rubber was tested with the amounts of SBR ground rubber varying from 0.5 to 4% g/l. The sol fraction of desulfurized SBR ground rubber increased 70%, compared with SBR ground rubber without desulfurization. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy‐attenuated total reflectance (FTIR‐ATR) spectrum and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of the desulfurized surface of vulcanized SBR flakes revealed that not only the oxidation of crosslinked S? S and S? C bonds, but also the rupture of C?C double bonds had happened to SBR vulcanizates during microbial desulfurization. The cure characteristics, such as scorch time and optimum cure time of natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates filled, were found to decrease with increasing contents of desulfurized SBR ground rubber, due to some reactive groups on its surface. NR vulcanizates filled with desulfurized SBR ground rubber had lower crosslink density and hardness, higher tensile strength and elongation at break, compared with those filled with SBR ground rubber of the same amount. Dynamic mechanical properties indicated that there were better crosslink distribution and stronger interfacial bonding between NR matrix and desulfurized SBR ground rubber. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs showed that the fracture surfaces of NR vulcanizates filled with desulfurized SBR ground rubber had more smooth morphologies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of polyvinylchloride on the properties of rubber vulcanizates

Natural rubber (NR) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) were compounded with polyvinylchloride (PVC). Some physico-mechanical and dielectric properties of resulting rubber vulcanizates were measured. It was found that the addition of PVC to both NR and SBR results in slight decreases in tensile strength and elongation at break but a marked increase in oil-resistance of the vulcanizates. Moreover, the addition of PVC to NR slightly increases both dielectric constant and dielectric losses while the addition of PVC to SBR loaded with 50 phr carbon black (HAF) lowers these parameters. Both rubber blends, especially NR, show a reasonable stability with ageing.     

Effect of chitosan derivatives as rubber antioxidants for increasing durability

A series of chitosan derivatives, namely polydiethylamino-ethylmethacrylate-chitosan-graft-copolymer (chitosan-g-DEAEMA), polycarboxy-chitosan-graft copolymer (chitosan-g-COOH), polyvinyl alcohol chitosan-graft-copolymer (chitosan-g-VOH), and carboxymethyl-chitosan (CM-chitosan), were synthesized and investigated as antioxidants for natural rubber (NR) and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) mixes and vulcanizates to increase their durability. The rheometric characteristics of the rubber mixes were determined using an oscillating disc rheometer. The physico-mechanical properties of the rubber vulcanized were measured before and after exposure to thermal oxidative aging. It was found that the CM-chitosan had an accelerating effect on the curing process of NR and NBR. Also, the investigated polymers enhanced the properties of rubbers (NR and NBR) especially after ageing up to 7 days compared with commercial antioxidants, such as phenyl ß-naphthylamine (PßN) and N-isopropel-Nphenyl-p-phenylene diamine (IPPD) which are used in the rubber industry. After ageing, the retained values of tensile strength, modulus at 100 % strain, and elongation at break were improved. The optimum concentration of the investigated compounds used to give good properties was found to be 1–2 parts per 100 of rubber (phr). In addition, these prepared polymers showed a decrease in the equilibrium swelling of rubber in toluene which is the proper solvent and consequently increases the crosslink density for rubbers.     

Influence of cryogenic modification of silica on thermal properties and flammability of cross-linked nitrile rubber

The article presents the results of testing thermal properties and combustibility of butadieneacrylonitrile rubber with 18% contents of bounded acrylonitrile, NBR 18. Two types of silica, Zeosil 175C and Ultrasil VN-3, with different specific surfaces were used as filler. Zeosil 175C and Ultrasil VN-3 were modified via cryogenic dezaggregation method. The activity of unmodified and cryogenic modified silica toward butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber were investigated. The sulphur and peroxide vulcanizates contained 20, 30, 40, and 50 phr. of the filler were studied. The article discusses also the test results of thermal stability and flammability of NBR 18 containing silica prepared "in situ" from alkoxysilane precursor. The test results were obtained with the use of derivatograph, measurements of flammability by the method of oxygen index, and in air. The effect of the silica modification on the SEM and AFM was also examined. The method of cryogenic modification enables to achieve increase of mineral fillers activity towards elastomer and reduction in the flammability of NBR 18 vulcanizates. It has been found that the modification of the vulcanizates of NBR 18 with tetraethoxysilane that makes it possible to form silica "in situ" reduces the flammability of cross-linked rubbers.     

Morphology and mechanical and viscoelastic properties of natural rubber and styrene butadiene rubber latex blends

The morphology and mechanical and viscoelastic properties of a series of blends of natural rubber (NR) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) latex blends were studied in the uncrosslinked and crosslinked state. The morphology of the NR/SBR blends was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. The morphology of the blends indicated a two phase structure in which SBR is dispersed as domains in the continuous NR matrix when its content is less than 50%. A cocontinuous morphology was obtained at a 50/50 NR/SBR ratio and phase inversion was seen beyond 50% SBR when NR formed the dispersed phase. The mechanical properties of the blends were studied with special reference to the effect of the blend ratio, surface active agents, vulcanizing system, and time for prevulcanization. As the NR content and time of prevulcanization increased, the mechanical properties such as the tensile strength, modulus, elongation at break, and hardness increased. This was due to the increased degree of crosslinking that leads to the strengthening of the 3‐dimensional network. In most cases the tear strength values increased as the prevulcanization time increased. The mechanical data were compared with theoretical predictions. The effects of the blend ratio and prevulcanization on the dynamic mechanical properties of the blends were investigated at different temperatures and frequencies. All the blends showed two distinct glass‐transition temperatures, indicating that the system is immiscible. It was also found that the glass‐transition temperatures of vulcanized blends are higher than those of unvulcanized blends. The time–temperature superposition and Cole–Cole analysis were made to understand the phase behavior of the blends. The tensile and tear fracture surfaces were examined by a scanning electron microscope to gain an insight into the failure mechanism. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 2189–2211, 2000     

Plasma polymerization of acetylene onto silica: an approach to control the distribution of silica in single elastomers and immiscible blends

Surface modification of silica by acetylene plasma polymerization is applied in order to improve the dispersion in and compatibility with single rubbers and their blends. Silica, used as a reinforcing filler for elastomers, is coated with a polyacetylene (PA) film under vacuum conditions. Water penetration measurements show a change in surface energy due to the PA‐film deposition. The weight loss measured by thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA) is higher for the PA‐coated silica compared to the untreated filler, confirming the deposition of the PA film on the silica surface. Time of flight‐secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) shows the well‐defined PA cluster peaks in the high mass region. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements show silica aggregates, coalesced by the coating with smooth and uniform surfaces, but without significant change in specific surface area. Elemental analysis by energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) measurements also confirms the deposition of the polymeric film on the silica surface, as the carbon content is increased. The performance of single polymers and their incompatible blends based on S‐SBR and EPDM, filled with untreated, PA‐ and silane‐treated silica, is investigated by measurements of the bound rubber content, weight loss related to bound rubber, cure kinetics, reinforcement parameter, Payne effect, and mechanical properties. The PA‐ and silane‐modified silica‐filled pure S‐SBR and EPDM samples show a lower filler–filler networking compared to the unmodified silica‐filled elastomers. Decrease in the reinforcement parameter (α_F) for the plasma‐polymerized silica‐filled samples also proves a better dispersion compared to silane‐modified and untreated silica‐filled samples. On the other hand, the PA‐silica‐filled samples show a higher bound rubber content due to stronger filler–polymer interactions. Finally, the PA‐silica‐filled pure EPDM and S‐SBR/EPDM blends show high tensile strength and elongation at break values, considered to be the result of best dispersion and compatibilization with EPDM. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of the modification of silica on thermal properties and flammability of cross-linked butadiene-acrylonitrile rubbers

The paper presents the results of testing the thermal stability and flammability of butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber vulcanizates with different contents of combined acrylonitrile: Perbunan NT 1845 and Perbunan NT 3945 from Bayer, containing unmodified and bromine- or iodine-modified silica. The test results were obtained with the use of a derivatograph, measurements of flammability by the method of oxygen index, in air and also with the use of a cone calorimeter. The effect of the modification on the zeta potential was also examined. A considerable reduction in the flammability of nitrile rubber vulcanizates filled with silica can be obtained by the modification of filler with bromine or iodine. All the vulcanizates containing modified silica are self-extinguishing. An appropriate filling of NBR 39 vulcanizates with bromine-modified silica makes it possible to obtain non-flammable polymeric materials. They neither ignite nor glow under the action of a flame source for 30 s. The findings can be a rational basis for the synthesis of modified silica that can act as active filler and effective flame-retardant agent at the same time.