Use of TBzTD as Noncarcinogenic Accelerator for ENR/SiO₂ Nanocomposites: Cured Characteristics, Mechanical Properties, Thermal Behaviors, and Oil Resistance

Abstract

This study reported the use of tetrabenzylthiuram disulphide (TBzTD) as a noncarcinogenic accelerator in a traditional sulfur curing system of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)/nanosilica (nSiO 2 ) composites. ENR used in this work was synthesized via in situ epoxidation of natural rubber (NR) in the presence of performic acid generated from the reaction of formic acid and hydrogen peroxide at 50 ∘ C for 8 h to acquire the epoxide content of about 40 mol%. Accordingly, the resulting ENR was referred to as ENR 40. The curing characteristics, mechanical properties, thermal behaviors, dynamic mechanical properties, and oil resistance of ENR 40/nSiO 2 nanocomposites filled with three loadings of nSiO 2 (1, 2, and 3 parts per hundred parts of rubber) were investigated and compared with NR and neat ENR 40. The results revealed that the scorch and cure times of ENR 40/nSiO 2 nanocomposites were slightly longer than those of NR but slightly shorter than those of ENR 40. The tensile properties and tear strength for both before and after aging of all ENR 40/nSiO 2 nanocomposites were higher than those of ENR 40, while the glass transition temperature, storage modulus at −65 ∘ C, thermal stability, and oil resistance of ENR 40/nSiO 2 nanocomposites were higher than those of NR and ENR 40.

Vinyl acetate ethylene copolymer and nanosilica reinforced epoxidized natural rubber: Effects of sulfur curing systems on cure characteristics, tensile properties, thermal stability, dynamic mechanical properties and oil resistance

“…To determine the mol% epoxidation from the 1 H‐NMR analysis, two characteristic peaks were considered in relation with Eq. 2 ; where A 2.7 and A 5.14 are the integrate areas under the 1 H‐NMR peaks at about 2.7 ppm, corresponding to the epoxide proton, and at about 5.14 ppm, representing an olefinic proton, respectively.…”

“…It is well established that many desirable properties of rubber products can be achieved through rubber/rubber blend , rubber/polymer blend and rubber composites . It has been reported that latex blending offers compatible or miscible blend without phase separation and flocculation .…”

“…In this study, the rubber/polymer blend and rubber/polymer blend nanocomposite were prepared from epoxidized natural rubber (ENR), vinyl acetate ethylene copolymer (VAE) and nanosilica (nSiO 2 ) in the latex stage. ENR in the latex form can be synthesized via in situ epoxidation of natural rubber (NR) latex by performic acid generated from the reaction between acetic acid (HCOOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) . ENR with 50 mol% epoxidation exhibits oil resistance similar to that of medium‐acrylonitrile‐content nitrile rubber and superior to that of chloroprene rubber .…”

“…However, it is more beneficial to add filler and/or reinforcement into rubber. With the advance of nanotechnology, an inclusion of inorganic nanofillers at a very low loading level into rubbers has recently received much attention . Among the inorganic nanofillers, nSiO 2 has been extensively used as a nonblack nanofiller in the rubber products .…”

“…With the advance of nanotechnology, an inclusion of inorganic nanofillers at a very low loading level into rubbers has recently received much attention . Among the inorganic nanofillers, nSiO 2 has been extensively used as a nonblack nanofiller in the rubber products . Moreover, the epoxide groups of ENR and acetate groups of VAE can effectively cause a specific interaction between nSiO 2 and the matrix via hydrogen bonding, leading to a reduction in the self‐aggregation of nSiO 2 particles and also an increase in their compatibility without the aid of any coupling agents or pretreatments .…”