Mechanical Properties and Equilibrium Swelling Characteristics of Some Polymer Composites Based on Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer (EPDM) Reinforced with Hemp Fibers

Abstract

EPDM/hemp fiber composites with fiber loading of 0–20 phr were prepared by the blending technique on a laboratory electrically heated roller mill. Test specimens were obtained by vulcanization using a laboratory hydraulic press. The elastomer crosslinking and the chemical modification of the hemp fiber surface were achieved by a radical reaction mechanism initiated by di(tert-butylperoxyisopropyl)benzene. The influence of the fiber loading on the mechanical properties, gel fraction, swelling ratio and crosslink degree was investigated. The gel fraction, crosslink density and rubber–hemp fiber interaction were evaluated based on equilibrium solvent-swelling measurements using the Flory–Rehner relation and Kraus and Lorenz–Park equations. The morphology of the EPDM/hemp fiber composites was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The water absorption increases as the hemp fiber loading increases.

Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Advanced Materials and Systems

“…Thus, active fillers such as silicon dioxide can be successfully replaced by ground (powder) and functionalized elastomeric waste (Stelescu et al, 2020;Nituica et al, 2021). The compounds based on NBR rubber and elastomeric waste (from the footwear industry) processed through the mixing technique, in the presence of vulcanization systems, leads to the obtaining of technical products with characteristics necessary for use in the footwear industry (Nituica et al, 2022). The vulcanization of the compounds has a major impact on the final properties of the products, representing an important property, and the use of vulcanized rubber waste as filler is important in obtaining elastomeric compounds (Roucoules et al, 2007;Alexandrescu et al, 2019).…”

“…For this, the samples were immersed for 168 hours in toluene at room temperature. The procedure and the calculation formulas are presented in several previous papers, with the specification that: the molar volume of toluene is 106.5 cm 3 /mol and the Flory-Higgins polymer (NBR)solvent (toluene) interaction parameter (χ12) is 0.3795 (Stelescu et al, 2022;Basu et al, 2021). https://doi.org/10.24264/icams-2022.IV.14…”

“…85/2002 -"Introduction of the waste management record and the European waste catalog". The cryogenically ground rubber (elastomer) waste used in powder form, in elastomeric compounds, has particles with regular shape, a smooth surface and shows a low level of oxidation (Nituica et al, 2022). Butadiene-co-acrylonitrile (NBR) rubber mixtures generally contain fillers, plasticizers, antioxidants, vulcanizing agents to improve tensile and tear strength, g 0.9 1.5 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 B0 -composite without rubber waste; B02 -composite with 50% non-functionalized rubber waste (butadieneco-acrylonitrile rubber waste) Butadiene-co-acrylonitrile rubber waste (NBR rubber waste from consumer goods and the footwear industry) was used in elastomeric mixtures in powder form.…”

Behaviour of Nitrile Rubber-Based Mixtures to Composting Tests

“…For this, the samples were immersed for 168 hours in toluene at room temperature. The procedure and the calculation formulas are presented in several previous papers, with the specification that: the molar volume of toluene is 106.5 cm 3 /mol and the Flory-Higgins polymer (NBR)solvent (toluene) interaction parameter (χ12) is 0.3795 (Stelescu et al, 2022;Basu et al, 2021).…”

Sulfur and Peroxide Vulcanization of Rubber Compounds Based on SBR, EPDM and Their Combinations

“…Ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer rubber EPDM is one of the most versatile specialty type rubbers having excellent electro-insulating properties, which are retained in high humidity environment and increased temperatures [3]. It also exhibits very good elastic properties at low temperatures, low compression set and good resistance against abrasion and fracturing.…”