Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Novel Composites of Methyl Silicone Polymer and Partially Ceramized Rice Bran

Influence of Eco-Friendly Processing Aids on Silica-Based Rubber Composites

As eco-friendly “green tires” are being developed in the tire industry, conventionally used carbon black is being replaced with silica in rubber compounds. Generally, as a lubricant and dispersing agent, processing aids containing zinc ions have been employed as additives. However, as zinc is a heavy metal, alternative eco-friendly processing aids are required to satisfy worldwide environmental concerns. Furthermore, non-toxic, degradable, and renewable processing aids are required to improve the mechanical properties of the rubber composites. In this study, we evaluated the effects of diverse silica-based processing aids containing hydrocarbon, benzene, and hydroxyl functional groups on the mechanical properties of rubber composites. Among them, rubber composites that used amphiphilic terpene phenol resin (TPR) with hydrophilic silica showed compatibility with the hydrophobic rubber matrix and were revealed to improve the mechanical and fatigue properties. Furthermore, owing to the enhanced dispersion of silica in the rubber matrix, the TPR/styrene butadiene rubber composites exhibited enhanced wet grip and rolling resistance. These results indicated that TPR had multifunctional effects at low levels and has the potential for use as a processing aid in silica-based rubber composites in tire engineering applications.

The Effect of Palm Oil-Based Hybrid Oils as Green Multifunctional Oils on the Properties of Elastomer Composites

Hybrid oils in an elastomer matrix provide superior physical and chemical properties over conventional elastomer composites. In this study, we investigated the possibility of utilizing palm-based hybrid oil as a processing oil, with various other added oils such as methylester, palm monoglyceride and dammar, and their effects on the curing characteristics, mechanical, abrasion resistance and heat build-up properties of elastomer composites. The elastomer composites with the hybrid oils exhibit remarkable improvements in mechanical properties such as modulus, tensile strength, elongation and toughness, which were ascribed to the enhanced dispersion of the fillers in the elastomer matrix. Also, the hybrid oils in the elastomer matrix showed outstanding heat build-up, abrasion and rebound resilience properties at low loadings. The synergistic effects in the elastomer matrix achieved by the hybridization of palm oil and other oils represent a significant contribution to advanced, stronger elastomer composites in various applications.

Silicone–acetylene hybrid resin and composite

A novel glass fiber-reinforced composite was prepared by silicone–acetylene hybrid polymer, poly(diacetylene–benzene–silane), terminated with aminophenylacetylene (APSA) as the matrix resin. Thermosetting structural changes of the matrix resin were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was inferred that APSA possibly launched four main kinds of cross-linking reactions under the condition of heating. The curing behavior of APSA was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and rotational rheometer. The thermal stability of the thermoset was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis, where the temperature of 5% weight loss and residue at 1000°C (nitrogen atmosphere) were 611°C and 85.4%, respectively. Dynamic mechanical analysis and compressive tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of the composite. The results showed that the glass transition temperature of the virgin composite was above 400°C and the composite was heat treated at 900°C for 7 min still exhibited excellent mechanical properties, with bending strength reaching 191 MPa.

Exploring the high k dielectric behavior of bio-carbon reinforced cyanate ester nanocomposites

Functionalized bio-carbon from rice husks is obtained and used to reinforce a cyanate ester matrix to achieve high k dielectric embedded capacitors.