Filling Effect of Silica on Electrical and Mechanical Properties of EPDM/NBR Blends

Abstract

Filling effect of silica on dielectric and mechanical properties of ethylene propylene diene/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber EPDM/NBR blends with different compositions was studied. To solve the problem of phase separation polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with concentration 10 phr was added. The dielectric data for the investigated systems on the frequency domain 100 Hz to 100 kHz were found to be fitted using Fröhlich function by two absorption regions. These regions ascribe the Maxwell-Wagner effect and the aggregates that are expected to be formed by the addition of different ingredients to rubber. The study led to a conclusion that the blend 75/25 EPDM/NBR possesses the most promising properties. For such reason, this blend was chosen to be loaded with silica in increasing quantities up to 90 phr and then study the various properties. This study indicates that the EPDM/NBR blend loaded with 50–60 phr of silica possess the most suitable electrical and mechanical properties.

Keywords:

• Electrical properties
• Mechanical properties
• Ethylene propylene diene
• Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber
• Silica
• EPDM/NBR blends