Preparation of Silicon Carbide Nanoparticle/Butadiene Rubber/Silane Nanocomposites; Structural, Mechanical, Tribological and Thermal Properties

ABSTRACT

Silicon carbide nanoparticles (nano-SiC), in the amounts of 0, 3, and 5 parts per hundred of rubber (phr), were employed in a butadiene rubber (BR) based compound as a potential commercial rubber and the structure, mechanical, tribological and thermal properties of the samples were investigated. The use of 3 phr of nano-SiC, especially in the presence of silane, increased the crosslink density and improved the tensile strength (35%) and elongation at break (64%) of the BR. In addition; the abrasion resistance of the BR was improved about 120% and the coefficient of friction increased. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed the use of silane resulted in an appropriate dispersion of the nano-SiC and improvement of its interaction with the matrix. The use of nano-SiC, especially with silane, increased the initial thermal decomposition temperature of the BR and decreased its rate of degradation.

KEYWORDS:

• Nano-SiC
• composite
• butadiene rubber
• mechanical properties
• tribological properties
• thermal properties

Acknowledgement

The authors thank Sapco Co. for providing facilities for carrying out some of the tests.