Fabricated coordinate and ionic bonds in chemically cross‐linked ethylene acrylic elastomer for high‐performing elastomers

Abstract

Covalent bond cross-link networks endow rubber with unique resiliency enabling it to be widely used as a series of irreplaceable materials in modern life. However, the balance between rigidity and toughness, which is highly desired with the growing demand for high-performance rubber, remains a significant challenge for covalent bond networks. In this study, magnesium oxide (MgO) was filled in an ethylene acrylic elastomer (AEM) to construct both ionic cluster and coordinate bonds within the framework of a covalent crosslink network, which significantly improved the properties of AEM. The MgOfilled AEM was measured through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, using a universal testing machine, dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer, and rubber process analyzer. As the multi-bond network was successfully constructed, the tensile strength was enhanced by almost 10 times, and unexpected dynamic properties were exhibited with a higher elastic modulus (rigidity) attributed to ionic clusters and a higher loss factor (toughness) attributed to the coordinate bonds. With the efficient enhancement of the mechanical properties, the improved toughness can dissipate energy to preserve the integrity of rubber under the application of an external mechanical force.coordinate bond, ethylene acrylic elastomer, high-performance, ionic bond, magnesium oxide | INTRODUCTIONRubber is a very important material that is applied in various industries, agriculture, and daily life as seals, tires, and shock absorbers. [1,2] However, owing to the low modulus and strength of raw rubber, it not only requires chemical cross-linking with a curing agent but also needs reinforcement by a filler before application. Carbon

Effects of tire‐derived pyrolytic carbon black and pyrolytic heavy oil on the curing and mechanical properties of styrene‐butadiene rubber composites

“…Furthermore, the point at which the vulcanization process terminates depends on the stability of the crosslinked network. The modulus can either reach a plateau (which is ideal), keep expanding (which is marching modulus), or drop (cure reversion) 40 . The maximum torque ( M H ), a measure of the final stiffness of SBR CB compounds, was found to be lower in conventional CB processed with HO than in samples made with aromatic process oil which implies the higher surface area of N330 CB that supports the formation of crosslink network in the rubber matrix in presence of conventional AO.…”