Polymer-Filler Interphase Dynamics and Reinforcement of Elastomer Nanocomposites

The effect of polymer-filler interaction on interphase dynamics between filler particles in elastomer nanocomposites and the mechanisms of rubber reinforcement by carbon black (CB) are investigated with different techniques. To determine how polymer-filler interface influences the properties of the system, CB black was modified with the ionic liquid (IL) 1-allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (AMIC) and mixed with different, more or less, polar elastomers. For typical diene-elastomers (EPDM, SBR), this modification leads to a decreased polymer-filler coupling strength due to the coverage of active sites at the CB surface by AMIC. This is demonstrated by evaluating the energy site distribution from static gas adsorption isotherms with the polymer analogues gas 1-Butene. However, an improvement of polymer filler coupling was determined in the case of saturated, polar rubbers (HNBR) due to attractive dipolar interactions between the polar units of the polymer and the strongly adsorbed IL at the CB surface. The different couplings affect the polymer-filler interphase dynamics between filler particles, which determines the properties of the filler network and filler-filler bonds. To describe the effect of CB surface modification quantitatively, the Dynamic Flocculation Model (DFM) has been used to calculate polymer- and filler-specific material parameters from cyclic stress-strain measurements. The fitted data deliver a coherent picture of filler-filler- and polymer-filler couplings showing a characteristic dependence on rubber polarity. A confirmation of the effect of surface modification on the strength of filler-filler bonds is obtained by nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of bond rupture under tension. They also provide indications for a glassy-like behavior of strongly confined polymer layers between attractive walls.     

Reprocessable and Easy Processing Silica Filled Brominated Isobutylene para Methyl Styrene (BIMS)

Without the use of any curatives, silica filled BIMS compounds can achieve tensile strength and bound rubber level close to conventional crosslinked elastomer compounds. This outstanding tensile performance of silica filled BIMS compounds results from the strong interaction between BIMS polymer and silica filler. Silica filled BIMS compounds can be reprocessed and still retain their high tensile strength performance. The good compatibility between BIMS and silica also leads to better filler dispersion and inhibition of filler-filler interaction. This in turn leads to the lower processing viscosity observed. We speculate that BIMS can interact with silica via nucleophilic substitution reaction between benzylic bromide of the polymer and surface silanol group of silica.     

Evaluation of sliding friction and contact mechanics of elastomers based on dynamic-mechanical analysis

The paper presents a combined experimental and theoretical approach to the understanding of hysteresis and adhesion contributions to rubber friction on dry and lubricated rough surfaces. Based on a proper analysis of the temperature- and frequency-dependent behaviors of nonlinear viscoelastic materials such as filler reinforced elastomer materials, master curves for the viscoelastic moduli are constructed. It is shown that the classical williams-Landel-Ferry equation cannot be applied in its simple form, but needs the introduction of an energy term describing the temperature dependency of glassy polymer bridges, which transmit the forces within flocculated filler clusters. The activation energy for carbon black and silica-filled elastomers is compared based on two different evaluation methods. The obtained dynamic data are shown to be related to a different friction behavior of elastomers regarding the two filler systems. Theoretical predictions of the stationary frictional behavior of the systems are in fair agreement with the experimental friction data at low sliding velocities. It is found that the formulated adhesion plays a dominant role on rough dry surfaces within this range of velocities.     

Pragmatic Approach to the Evaluation of the Polymer-Mediated Force and Stability Ratio of Nano-Fillers Immersed in Rubber Materials

We used self-consistent field theory to derive the expression for the potential of the polymer-mediated forces acting between non adsorbing and weakly adsorbing nanoparticles in generic excluded volume polymer systems. By way of analyzing the physical structure of the obtained exact result for the polymer-mediated potential, we developed a pragmatic approach to evaluating this potential and associated filler flocculation stability ratio in dense rubber systems. The thus obtained theoretical approximation expresses the polymer-mediated potential acting between nanoparticles immersed in rubber through the relevant experimentally accessible quantities: filler immersion free energy, compressibility, and density correlation length of a rubber. By making use of the developed pragmatic approach, we have evaluated the polymer-mediated potential and the associated filler flocculation stability ratio for selected practically important filler and rubber materials.     

Molecular dynamics simulation for insight into microscopic mechanism of polymer reinforcement

By employing an idealized model of a polymer network and filler, we have investigated the stress-strain behavior by tuning the filler loading and polymer-filler interaction in a broad range. The simulated results indicate that there actually exists an optimal filler volume fraction (between 23% and 32%) for elastomer reinforcement with attractive polymer-filler interaction. To realize this reinforcement, the rubber-filler interaction should be slightly stronger than the rubber-rubber interaction, while excessive chemical couplings are harmful to mechanical properties. Meanwhile, our simulated results qualitatively reproduce the experimental data of Bokobza. By introducing enough chemical coupling between the rubber and the filler, an upturn in the modulus at large deformation is observed in the Mooney-Rivlin plot, attributed to the limited chain extensibility at large deformation. Particularly, the filler dispersion state in the polymer networks is also characterized in detail. It is the first demonstration via simulation that the reinforcement mechanism stems from the nanoparticle-induced chain alignment and orientation, as well as the limited extensibility of chain bridges formed between neighboring nanoparticles at large deformation. The former is influenced by the filler amount, filler size and filler-rubber interaction, and the latter becomes more obvious by strengthening the physical and chemical interactions between the rubber and the filler. Remarkably, the reason for no obvious reinforcing effect in filled glassy or semi-crystalline matrices is also demonstrated. It is expected that this preliminary study of nanoparticle-induced mechanical reinforcement will provide a solid basis for further insightful investigation of polymer reinforcement.     

Effect of carbon nanofibers on mechanical and electrical behaviors of acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubber composites

Recently, carbon nanofibers have become an innovative reinforcing filler that has drawn increased attention from researchers. In this work, the reinforcement of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) with carbon nanofibers (CNFs) was studied to determine the potential of carbon nanofibers as reinforcing filler in rubber technology. Furthermore, the performance of NBR compounds filled with carbon nanofibers was compared with the composites containing carbon black characterized by spherical particle type. Filler dispersion in elastomer matrix plays an essential role in polymer reinforcement, so we also analyzed the influence of dispersing agents on the performance of NBR composites. We applied several types of dispersing agents: anionic, cationic, nonionic, and ionic liquids. The fillers were characterized by dibutylphtalate absorption analysis, aggregate size, and rheological properties of filler suspensions. The vulcanization kinetics of rubber compounds, crosslink density, mechanical properties, hysteresis, and conductive properties of vulcanizates were also investigated. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy images were used to determine the filler dispersion in the elastomer matrix. The incorporation of the carbon nanofibers has a superior influence on the tensile strength of NBR compared with the samples containing carbon black. It was observed that addition of studied dispersing agents affected the performance of NBR/CNF and NBR/carbon black materials. Especially, the application of nonylphenyl poly(ethylene glycol) ether and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate contributed to enhanced mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of NBR/CNF composites.     

Characterization of kaolinite/emulsion-polymerization styrene butadiene rubber (ESBR) nanocomposite prepared by latex blending method: Dynamic mechanic properties and mechanism

The latex blending method was chosen to prepare Kaolinite/emulsion-polymerization styrene butadiene rubber (ESBR) nanocomposite to improve the interaction between filler particles and rubber matrix chains. The influences of kaolinite particles size, filler contents, and flocculants types on dynamic mechanical properties and the relative reinforcement mechanism of the prepared composite were systematic investigated and proposed. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the kaolinite particles were finely dispersed into the rubber matrix and arranged in parallel orientation. The prepared nanocomposites by latex blending exhibited improved crosslinking characteristic and dynamic mechanical parameters. The KAl (SO₄)₂ flocculant presented obvious modification in dynamic properties and crosslinking characteristic. Both the decrease in kaolinite particle size and the increase in kaolinite content can greatly improve the storage modulus and reinforcing effect of kaolinite/ESBR nanocomposites. The dynamic reinforcement mechanism of kaolinite can be explained by filler network including a certain thickness of rubber shell on the surface of kaolinite lamellar structure and the aggregations network between kaolinite particles The optimum way to balance the dynamic properties of rubber nanocomposites at different temperatures is to reduce the surface difference between kaolinite and rubber matrix and the degree of filler-filler networking on the basis of kaolinite with nanoscale (nanometer effect).     

New type of inorganic filler with a core-shell structure

We tried to use a new kind of filler with “core-shell” structure as a crosslinking agent for carboxylated butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber. We thought that the substance would be better dispersed in the polymer matrix than zinc oxide. Silica (ZnO/SiO₂) whose surface was modified with amorphous zinc oxide from zinc nitrate was used. Its properties were investigated using gas chromatography. Finally we obtained unconventional networks containing ionic and complex bonds (as a result of reaction of elastomers' functional groups i.e. carboxyl groups with the appropriate neutralizing agent as metal oxide). Ionic clusters were formed in vulcanizates which influenced the mechanical properties and crosslinking efficiency. We confirmed the presence of these unconventional bonds by IR spectroscopy and DMTA analyses.     

Percolation simulation of the network degradation during ultrasonic devulcanization

The percolation model of network degradation during rubber devulcanization is presented. The model is based on a random crosslink scission and molecular chain breakup. The obtained results indicate that the primary model parameter characterizing the network degradation is the ratio of the probabilities of backbone breakup to crosslink scission. The predicted dependences of the gel fraction of devulcanized rubber on crosslink density are in excellent agreement with experimental data for styrene-butadiene rubber and ground rubber tire. The estimated critical exponents indicate that the process of devulcanization for the vulcanizate without filler appears to belong to the universality class of standard 3D bond percolation while devulcanization for the vulcanizate with filler appears to belong to its own new universality class. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Structure of the carbon-black-particles framework in filled elastomer materials

Specific features of the structure of a rigid framework composed of aggregated carbon black particles in rubber were considered. The volume fractions of the main components of the material—the filler, the binder, the layer enveloping carbon black particles, and the polymer entrapped by aggregates—were calculated. It was found that the volume fraction of the polymer in the layer around filler particles can be very high. The average number of contacts between neighboring aggregates in rubber with a high filler content is six. During deformation, the structure undergoes strong changes, so that neighboring aggregates can move from each other or, conversely, the remote aggregates can approach each other.     

Evaluation and modeling of the mechanical properties of graphite nanoplatelets based rubber nanocomposites for pressure sensing applications

Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) compounds filled with different concentrations of graphite nanoplatelets were experimentally investigated. The stress–strain curves of the nanocomposites were studied, which suggest good filler–matrix adhesion. The large reinforcement effect of the filler followed the Guth model for non‐spherical particles. The effect of graphite nanoplatelets on the cyclic fatigue and hysteresis was also examined. The loading and unloading stress–strain relationships for any cycle were described by applying Ogden's model for rubber nanocomposites. With this model for incompressible materials, expressions may be developed to predict the stress–strain relationship for any given cycle. The dissipated energy increased with graphite nanoplatelets concentrations and decrease with number of cycles. The rate of damage accumulation becomes marginal after first ten cycles. The rate of damage increases as the amount of graphite nanoplatelets increase into the rubber matrix. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nonequilibrium simulations of filled polymer networks: searching for the origins of reinforcement and nonlinearity

We present nonequilibrium dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations of cross-linked elastomers containing solid filler particles at 30% volume fraction. We study systematically the effect of the morphology (dispersed or aggregated particles) and of the effective particle-particle interactions. In addition, we have experimented by replacing the standard harmonic DPD bonds with other potential functions, conceived to deal with the finite extensibility of the polymer chains and the possibility of a slow equilibrium between strongly and weakly adsorbed chains at the rubber-filler interface. The simulation results shed some light on the basic mechanisms of rubber reinforcement, including the nonlinearity and history dependence commonly known as "Payne effect" and "Mullins effect."     

Birefringence of filled rubbers

The birefringence change occuring upon stretching a rubber containing spherical isotropic filler particles is calculated as a function of the volume fraction of the filler. The stress concentration arising from the presence of the filler particles leads to an enhanced birefringence of the rubber. From a consideration of the detailed birefringence pattern about a spherical particle within a stretched rubber, the enhancement of the retardation is calculated as a function of the volume fraction of the filler particles.     

Mechanical properties of polymers containing fillers

The addition of fillers can significantly change the mechanical characteristics of a material. In this paper, a general, mechanistic model is established to determine the moduli, relaxation moduli, break strengths, and break strains for polymer films containing liquid and solid micro fillers. Based on rigorous continuum mechanics principles, this model considers the filler/filler interactions, incorporates the nonlinear synergistic effects of fillers, and provides accurate predictions in comparison with experimental data. The analytical model developed provides information that is not available or extremely difficult to obtain experimentally. The model can be applied to determine the filler/matrix adhesion and filler modulus using measured modulus of a filled polymer film (a filled polymer is a polymer containing fillers). It is found that the compression moduli of polymer films containing liquid fillers differ significantly from the tension moduli, especially when the volume fraction of the filler is high. The difference in compression and tension Young's moduli normalized by the tension Young's modulus is as high as 35%. The relative error in maximum pressure calculation during Hertzian contact caused by using the tension moduli is as high as 48%. The relaxation modulus of a filled polymer film is determined through inverse Laplace transforms of its composite modulus in the s‐space. For a filled polymer film containing liquid phase fillers, a closed form solution for its relaxation modulus has been obtained. It is found that the composite relaxation modulus of the filled polymer is proportional to the relaxation modulus of the matrix polymer multiplied by a factor related to the volume fraction of the liquid filler. The break strength of the filled polymer is found to be proportional to the break strength of the polymer matrix material multiplied by a power function of the modulus ratio of filled polymer to polymer matrix, R. The break strain of the filled polymer is proportional to the break strain of the polymer matrix multiplied by a power function of 1/R. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 155–172, 1999     

Improvement of properties of silica‐filled styrene‐butadiene rubber composites through plasma surface modification of silica

The performance of plasma surface modified silica filler in styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) matrix has been analyzed. The conditions of plasma modification have been optimized by taking secant modulus as a standard parameter and the occurrence of the modification has been confirmed by surface area determination and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The plasma‐modified surface of silica has been found to be composed of carbon–carbon double bonds and carbon–hydrogen bonds. Silane treatment also has been carried out on silica filler surface for a comparative assessment of its influence in the curing behavior and filler–rubber interaction. The cure reactions of all the rubber compounds have been found to be proceeded according to first‐order kinetics. A reduction in the cure reaction rate constant has been observed with the loading of unmodified and surface modified silica, emphasizing the cure deactivation of the matrix rubber by the silica filler. The filler dispersion, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy, has been found to be greatly improved by the plasma as well as silane treatment. The filler–rubber interaction has been found to be greatly improved by both surface treatments, but the best balance of mechanical properties has been observed with plasma surface modification only. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The brittle-ductile transition in rubber-filled polymers

Composites based on various polymers and rubber particles as a filler were studied. As the filler concentration was increased, the transition from necking to brittle fracture and then to uniform ductile yielding was observed. The criterion for the brittle-ductile transition, which is accompanied by an increase in the elongation at break, is equality between the tensile strength and the upper yield stress of the filled composite. Upon the brittle-ductile transition, the critical concentration of rubber particles is determined by two parameters: the height of the yield drop (difference between the upper and lower yield stresses of matrix polymer) and adhesive strength at the interface between the matrix polymer and filler particles (in the case of good adhesion, tensile strength of rubber particles). The larger the yield drop, the broader the concentration range corresponding to the polymer brittle fracture. The enhancement of adhesion between the matrix and the particles makes it possible to displace the brittle-ductile transition to lower filler contents and, hence, to narrow the region of brittle fracture of the composite.     

Molecular-dynamics simulation of model polymer nanocomposite rheology and comparison with experiment

The shear-rate dependence of viscosity is studied for model polymer melts containing various concentrations of spherical filler particles by molecular-dynamics simulations, and the results are compared with the experimental results for calcium-carbonate-filled polypropylene. Although there are some significant differences in scale between the simulated model polymer composite and the system used in the experiments, some important qualitative similarities in shear behavior are observed. The trends in the steady-state shear viscosities of the simulated polymer-filler system agree with those seen in the experimental results; shear viscosities, zero-shear viscosities, and the rate of shear thinning are all seen to increase with filler content in both the experimental and simulated systems. We observe a significant difference between the filler volume fraction dependence of the zero-shear viscosity of the simulated system and that of the experimental system that can be attributed to a large difference in the ratio of the filler particle radius to the radius of gyration of the polymer molecules. In the simulated system, the filler particles are so small that they only have a weak effect on the viscosity of the composite at low filler volume fraction, but in the experimental system, the viscosity of the composite increases rapidly with increasing filler volume fraction. Our results indicate that there exists a value of the ratio of the filler particle radius to the polymer radius of gyration such that the zero-shear-rate viscosity of the composite becomes approximately independent of the filler particle volume fraction.     

The influence of non-rubber constituents on performance of silica reinforced natural rubber compounds

An in-rubber study of the interaction of silica with proteins present in natural rubber show that the latter compete with the silane coupling agent during the silanisation reaction; the presence of proteins makes the silane less efficient for improving dispersion and filler–polymer coupling, and thus influences the final properties of the rubber negatively. Furthermore, the protein content influences the rheological properties as well as filler–filler and filler–polymer interactions. Stress strain properties also vary with protein content, as do dynamic properties. With high amounts of proteins present in natural rubber, the interactions between proteins and silica are able to disrupt the silica–silica network and improve silica dispersion. High amounts of proteins reduce the thermal sensitivity of the filler–polymer network formation. The effect of proteins is most pronounced when no silane is used, but they are not able to replace a coupling agent.