Investigation into morphology, microstructure and properties of SBR/EPDM/ORGANO montmorillonite nanocomposites

Impact of foaming agent and nanoparticle fillers on the properties of irradiated rubber

A sponge rubber nanocomposite based on styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR)/nanoclay (montmorillonite, MMT) or nano-calcium carbonate (CaCO3) fillers with various foaming agent contents was produced by a simple technique, roll milling. The nanoparticles were examined by different techniques, such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FT–IR). The sponge rubber nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image analysis before and after exposures to radiation doses, as well as by the XRD patterns for the unirradiated samples. The different properties of the obtained nanocomposites, including their foaming degree, tensile strength, elongation at break, and thermal conductivity, were also investigated. The foam composites containing nano-CaCO3 possessed the best cell and crosslinking densities and mechanical properties among the other composites, while its foaming degree was the lowest. The results indicated that the thermal conductivity was reduced by increasing the foaming agent concentration. However, it increased as the radiation dose increased, and the optimum radiation dose was obtained at 75 kGy. The foam containing MMT exhibited an intermediate behavior while high thermal conductivity was recorded for the foam containing the CaCO3 nanoparticles.

Irradiated rubber composite with nano and micro fillers for mining rock application

In this work, nanosilica and micro carbon black (CB) as a fillers were used to improve the properties of styrene butadiene rubber/natural rubber blends (SBR/NR) crosslinked by γ radiation. Nanosilica was prepared from silica sand and used as eco-friendly material. These composites were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and the measurements of the physic-mechanical and thermal properties were measured. Field emission scanning electron microscopy showed that the composites reinforced by nanosilica and the measurements of the CB are uniformly dispersed in the blends matrix. The results showed that the physico-mechanical and thermal properties were improved indicating a good interaction between the fillers and rubber matrix. The volume fraction measurements confirmed the formation of crosslinking network structure. Meanwhile, the reinforcement of SBR/NR blend loaded with nanosilica showed improved mechanical than blend loaded with both the nanosilica/carbon black and the CB alone. The highest enhancement was obtained for the three fillers by using a concentration of 35 phr at a dose of 150 kGy of γ-irradiation. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that the thermal stability of SBR/NR blend reinforced by nanosilica is higher than those blends reinforced with combined filler the silica. It was also found that the irradiated SBR/NR nanocomposites were more stable than the un-irradiated ones.