Effect of Multi‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes on the Mechanical Properties of Natural Rubber

Abstract

Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were used to prepare natural rubber (NR) nanocomposites. Our first efforts to achieve nanostructures in MWNTs/NR nanocomposites were formed by incorporating carbon nanotubes in a polymer solution and subsequently evaporating the solvent. Using this technique, nanotubes can be dispersed homogeneously in the NR matrix in an attempt to increase the mechanical properties of these nanocomposites. The properties of the nanocomposites such as tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break and hardness were studied. Mechanical test results show an increase in the initial modulus for up to 12 times in relation to pure NR. In addition to mechanical testing, the dispersion state of the MWNTs into NR studied by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) in order to understand the morphology of the resulting system

Keywords:

• Carbon nanotubes
• natural rubber
• nanocomposite
• Young's modulus

Acknowledgment

The authors gratefully acknowledge the National Intensification of Research in Priority Areas (IRPA) for their financial support of this research.