NR/CSM/biogenic silica rubber blend composites

• Published in: Composites. Part B, Engineering Vol. 55; pp. 368 - 373
• Main Authors: MARKOVIC, Gordana, MARINOVIC-CINCOVIC, Milena, JOVANOVIC, Vojislav, SAMARZIJA-JOVANOVIC, Suzana, BUDINSKI-SIMENDIC, Jaroslava
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Particle-reinforcement; Applied sciences; B. Mechanical properties; Biogenic silica; Composites; D. Thermal analysis; differential scanning calorimetry; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; glass transition temperature; hardness; polyethylene; Polymer industry, paints, wood; rubber; scanning electron microscopy; scorch; silica; sulfur; Technology of polymers; tensile strength; thermal stability; thermogravimetry; toluene; D. Thermal analysis; B. Mechanical properties; A. Particle-reinforcement; Biogenic silica; Diene polymer; Polymer blends; Mechanical properties; Natural rubber; Dispersion reinforced material; Hardness; Experimental study; Silica; Glass transition temperature; Composite material; Tensile strength; Thermal stability; Polymer filler interaction; Thermal properties; Vulcanization; Concentration effect; Chlorosulfonated ethylene polymer; Sulfur; Isoprene polymer
• ISSN: 1359-8368; 1879-1069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.06.045

Biogenic silica (BSi) was added at different ratios to some polymer blends of polyisoprene rubber (NR) and chlorosulphonated polyethylene rubber (CSM) cured by conventional sulfur system. The reinforcing performance of the filler was investigated using rheometric, mechanical and swelling measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. There was a remarkable decrease in the optimum cure time (tc90) and the scorch time (ts2), which was associated with an increase in the cure rate index (CRI), with filler loading up to 30phr in the different blend ratios. The tensile strength and hardness was 4–5 Sh-A higher in the case for the different blend compositions, while the resistance to swelling in toluene became higher. SEM photographs show that the filler is located at the interface between the different polymers which induces compatibilization in the immiscible blends. DSC scans of the filled blends showed shifts in the glass transition temperatures Tg which can be attributed to the improve interfacial bonding between filler and NR/CSM matrix. A higher thermal stability of NR/CSM/BSi composites was detected.