The reduction of the carbon black quantity in elastomeric composites is a massive requirement from environmental perspective and a huge challenge for industrial implementation. The present work consists of the replacement of half amount of carbon black with silica without compromising the basic properties along with ushering of superior characteristics of fluoroelastomer and silicone rubber blends. The comparative study of carbon black-silica hybrid filler (1:1 ratio) with carbon black and silica at different loadings shows much superior aging behavior and thermal stability compared with the other composites with unforeseen increment of tensile strength (56%). The fundamentals of rubber-filler interaction and reinforcement phenomenon of the hybrid filler composites have been determined by the correlation of the experimental findings with different models like Nicolais-Narkis, Nielsen, Guth, and Kerner model. Furthermore, enhanced compatibility between the two rubber phases has been observed in terms of T g shifting (3.8 C) and reduced FKM domain size (from 450 to 300 nm) in the silicone rubber matrix for hybrid filler composites. Morphological studies reflect the selected homogeneous dispersion of the carbon black in fluoroelastomer domain and silica in silicone rubber phase. These super specialty elastomeric composites can be used as oil and fuel resistant gaskets and O-rings for wide temperature range.
The contribution of carbon black (CB) on changes in cross-link density and physical entanglement has been quantified by swelling and uniaxial stress–strain measurements considering Mooney–Rivlin parameters. Solution SBR (SSBR) vulcanizates with varying content of high abrasion furnace (HAF) CB were studied. Rubber–filler networks increase the cross-link density values, which were determined by using Flory–Rehner and modified Guth–Gold equations by equilibrium swelling study. The Mooney–Rivlin parameter C1 was quantified using cross-link density, whereas parameter C2, representing physical entanglement, was determined for filled rubber by correlating with tensile results. The parameter C2 is monitored to be decreased with increasing CB (HAF) loading. A simple parabolic trend for physical entanglement parameter with increasing CB loading is proposed, and it shows a correlation coefficient of 0.99595. Atomic force microscopy study confirms the generation of filler networking in the rubber matrix. The current findings elucidate a way for quantifying physical network changes due to fillers in an unfilled rubber system.
The study presents the preparation of acrylamide grafted fluoroelastomer (FKM‐g‐acrylamide) by melt mixing process and its evaluation as a reactive compatibilizer for fluoroelastomer (FKM) and methyl vinyl silicone rubber (MVQ) blend system (at different compositions) in terms of mechanical properties, thermal stability, aging behavior, and morphological aspects. Mechanical properties investigation discloses almost 20% increment in tensile strength after the incorporation of 3 parts per hundred rubber of FKM‐g‐acrylamide into the FKM/MVQ blend. The shifting of the Tgs of both the rubber phases toward each other along with the decrease of the heat capacity value (Cp) attest the effective compatibilization role of the compatibilizer. However, no significant changes in the thermal stability of the blends are observed after incorporation of the prepared compatibilizer. The heat and oil aging behavior shows remarkable percentage retention of the mechanical properties for the compatibilized blend system compared to the uncompatibilized one. The morphological study indicates the abrupt reduction of the FKM domain size (2000–180 nm) in the MVQ matrix for the compatibilized blend.
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